Reduce, Re-use, Recycle

The UK produces millions of tonnes of household rubbish every year. Richmondshire residents alone produced 19,000 tonnes of household waste in 2007/2008. Central government has now set statutory targets for the recycling and recovery of household waste.

 

There are many important reasons why we should reduce, re-use and recycle our household waste.

 

Many of the products that we put in our rubbish bins have a value and can be used again. Instead of gardeners using peat as a soil improver, they can make compost at home from vegetable peelings and grass cuttings.

 

Recycling items such as glass conserves the natural resources used to make glass from raw materials.

 

Making new aluminium cans from recycled cans uses 20 times less energy than making cans from raw materials.

 

Last year Richmondshire residents produced over 19,000 tonnes of rubbish. With a recycling rate of 33%, over 12,800 tonnes of rubbish were still sent to landfill. In the UK we are fast running out of landfill space and by reducing, re-using and recycling our waste which will mean they will last longer.

 

By reducing the amount of waste we produce and recycling as much as possible, we reduce the need to mine raw materials, which is often damaging to the surrounding area.

 

Many charities and community groups raise money through re-using and recycling.  Local charities like Help the Aged re-use and recycle many items including stamps, foreign currency, toner cartridges and mobile phones.  To find out more please see the Help the Aged website

When dealing with waste it is not just a matter of recycling. We need to change the way we deal with the waste that we produce, by reducing, re-using and recycling as much as we can.

 

By reducing the amount of waste we produce in the first place we lessen the problems of dealing with the waste mountain.

 

Some items can only be used once and then have to be thrown away. By increasing the number of items we buy that are re-usable, we reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill.

 

Rather than throwing materials away, check to see if they can be repaired cheaply and re-used. This can save money and will reduce the waste we produce. Even if you no longer want the item, your local charity shop may be willing to take it and fix it before selling it on.

 

If you cannot re-use your waste then you can recycle items such as glass, cans and paper at your local kerbside recycling scheme or recycling centre. To save energy during trips to the recycling centre, why not "Drop before you shop" by combining your weekly trip to the supermarket with your trip to the recycling centre.

 

At present no energy is recovered from the waste that is produced in Richmondshire.

 

Any waste that cannot be reduced, re-used, repaired, recycled or recovered must be disposed of, generally to landfill.

 

For further information or to report missed collections, excess waste or collection of bulky household waste (chairs or sofas) please contact

Helpline: 01748 828777

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