Why should we Reduce, Re-use and Recycle?
The UK produces millions of tonnes of household rubbish every
year. Richmondshire residents alone produced 18,700 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.
Save Resources
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.
Save Energy
Making new aluminium cans from recycled cans uses 20 times
less energy than making cans from raw materials.
Save Space
Last year Richmondshire residents achieved a recycling rate of
43.5%, over 10% up on the previous year which is partly due to the
introduction of the alternate weekly collection and expansion of
kerbside recycling schemes across the district. Despite this great
achievement, over 10,565 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 space available for
landfill will last longer.
Protect the Environment
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.
Help Charities
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
Dealing with Waste
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.
Reduce
By reducing the amount of waste we produce in the first place
we lessen the problems of dealing with the waste mountain.
Re-use
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.
Repair
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.
Recycle
If you cannot re-use your waste
then you can recycle items such as glass, cans, plastic bottles and
paper at your local kerbside recycling scheme or recycling centre.
Why not "Drop before you shop"? To save energy on trips to the
recycling centre, combine your weekly trip to the supermarket with
your trip to the recycling centre.
Recover
At present no energy is recovered from the waste that is
produced in Richmondshire.
Disposal
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