Reduce, Re-use, Recycle, Recover

These are the 4 'R's to help minimise the impact of the waste we create.

Reduce:

• Shop smartly and try not to buy produces that have too much packaging. For example buy loose fruit and vegetables.
• Purchase 'bags for life' and use these each time you go shopping.
• Use paper on both sides
• Avoid disposable or single-use items such as napkins, razors, plastic cutlery, cameras and batteries etc
• Use boxes with lids to store things, rather than using foil or cling film.
• Buy in bulk and use re-fills.
• Visit the Mailing Preference Service to reduce your junk mail www.mpsonline.org.uk or call 0845 703 4599 to register.
• To opt out of receiving the BT phone book call 0800 833 400 and to opt out of the Yellow Pages ring 0800 671 444.

Love Food Hate Waste
The Love Food Hate Waste campaign aims to raise awareness of the need to reduce food waste. The campaign shows that by doing some easy practical everyday things in the home we can all waste less food, which will ultimately benefit our purses and the environment too. www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

Please download thie leaflet below for more information on the Love Food Hate Waste campaign, tips on how not to waste food which will ultimately lead to you saving money.

• Reuse plastic carrier bags
• Buy rechargeable batteries
• Take unwanted furniture, that is in good condition, to a furniture recycling scheme. For example 9 Lives Furniture in Rickmansworth. For further details visit www.9livesfurniture.org.uk or call 01923 718666
• Take unwanted clothes and toys to charity shops
• Visit www.freecycle.org a networking group to help keep usable items out of landfill

Find your nearest charity shop by visiting www.charityshops.org.uk

There are various furniture reuse schemes throughout Hertfordshire. When you dontate to one of these you will be helping a project which supports somebody who is living on low wages, benefits or needs emergency support.  More information is available on the Furniture Reuse Schemes page on the WasteAware website.

Recycle:

As well as the kerbside facilities provided by the Council and the various recycling sites located around the district try to purchase items made from recycled materials whenever possible. You probably do this without realising when you buy newspapers or drinks cans, however there are some items that may surprise you. For example garden furniture and fleece jackets made from recycled plastic bottles.

We run the Yellow Woods Challenge once a year, which involves the recycling of old Yellow Pages.  Local schools are encouraged to take part in the challenge  by asking friends, family and other local residents to recycle their old directories.  They can win prizes for their schools.  Look out for publicity about this or visit http://www.yellow-woods.co.uk/  for more information.  Our Recycling Guide can be downloaded below.

Download our information leaflet below for further information to help you Reduce, Re-use, Recycle or visit www.recyclenow.com