Reducing, Reusing, Recycling
Traditionally waste has been seen as a source of pollution. But well managed waste can be a valuable source of materials, especially when many raw materials are becoming scarce. The best option is to stop creating waste. When that isn't possible, other good choices are reuse, and recycling.
Generation Awake is a campaign created by the European Commission to highlight what each one of us can do in our daily life to save water, energy and other natural resources, and reduce waste.
Reducing
Think about the environmental impact of the things you buy, including the packaging. Always use recyclable bags for shopping, cut down on food waste, and choose product refills if you can, avoiding single-use containers. Why not put a ‘no junk mail’ sticker on your letterbox and unsubscribe from paper mailing lists in favour of online or e-mail newsletters, holiday brochures and catalogues?
You could choose online billing for your bills and bank statements, or start a home compost for fruit and vegetable waste? When giving presents to loved ones, think about offering a service instead of a material item, like event tickets, or a course in a pastime they love. And if you do need a product that you will use only once – like a book or a tool – consider borrowing rather than buying. If you have a baby, think about investing in reusable nappies. By the age of two-and-a-half, a child using disposable nappies will have used approximately 6 500 nappies, equivalent to 1.5 tonnes of waste.
Reusing
Reusing objects has many benefits. It cuts demand for natural resources, saves energy, reduces waste, and it saves you money.
You may have no need for your old clothes, books, bags, furniture or mobile phone, but someone else might. Have you thought of selling or donating unwanted items through online stores or charity shops, or swapping with friends? You can also play your part by buying second-hand clothes and other items.
Consider buying reusables over disposables where you have the choice – such as rechargeable batteries – and re-use items for a second purpose if you can. Plastic food tubs are ideal for freezer storage, jam jars for spices and old greetings cards for gift tags or collages.
Find out if broken or worn items can be repaired before you ditch them, and think of repair potential when you are buying new products.
Local ‘freecycling’ websites are good for matching people who have items to donate with those who want to collect something for free, from baby clothes to old TVs to building rubble. Many designers and entrepreneurs are taking to upcycling, transforming old and unwanted items into desirable one-of-a-kind objects that can command a price. Broken jewellery, waste fabric and furniture – especially vintage items – make good supplies for creative minds. Why not take a look at crafting websites for inspiration, and have a go yourself?
Recycling
Recycling is the next best option after reuse. It converts used items into new products, helping to save finite resources and protect natural habitats. Recycling avoids the water and air pollution created by mining, quarrying and logging for raw materials, and requires less energy to make new products compared to raw materials. It also reduces the amount of waste that goes to incineration and landfill sites, which are major emitters of methane, a greenhouse gas that has more than 20 times more impact on climate change than carbon dioxide.
Recycling rates of municipal waste have risen significantly in the EU – from 23% in 2001 to 35% in 2010 – but there is still plenty of room for improvement, as currently only 4 out of 28 countries meet the legislative target to recycle 50% of household and similar waste by 2020. The vast majority of our household waste can be recycled: organic waste including raw and cooked food, paper and card, textiles, metal, glass and certain plastics. Many municipalities offer a house-to-house collection for some or all of these kinds of recyclable waste. If yours doesn’t, perhaps you have a local recycling centre where you can take the items directly.
