Reducing and recycling rubbish - a guide
A guide to reducing and recycling rubbish, including why rubbish is a problem and what you can do to make a difference.
Design in recycling
If your are refurbishing or altering property you/your architect should consider how you will store your waste and recyclate. Use the Architects code of practice for advice.
Why is rubbish a problem?
- Every year the average Lambeth household throws away about one tonne of rubbish: the same weight as a car!
- Much of it goes into big holes in the ground, called landfill sites.
- These are nearly full and it is estimated that space for London's rubbish will run out by 2008.
What can we do to make a difference?
You can recycle most of your household rubbish. The council's recycling services now make recycling more convenient than ever before.
For recycling services see:
Recycling gives things a future by making new products from rubbish meaning we don't have to bury or burn it. This saves energy and resources which is good for the economy and the environment.
As well as recycling, we can:
- reduce the amount of rubbish we produce
- reuse or repair items
- buy products made from recycled material
In Lambeth the average bin contains…
- Garden rubbish and food scraps 30%
- Paper and card 26%
- Glass 12%
- Plastics 9%
- Nappies 3%
- Cans 2%
- Textiles 2%
- Other 16%
Over 60% of your rubbish can be recycled!
What else can I do?
Real nappies
The average baby goes through about 5,400 nappy changes over two and a half years.
In Lambeth, disposable nappies count for 3% of all household waste produced.
Why not switch to modern, reusable cotton nappies, which now come with liners and Velcro fastenings? There are also local nappy laundry services which collect dirty nappies and deliver clean ones.
For your nearest nappy contacts, services and suppliers call the Real Nappy Helpline 0845 850 0606 (Mon - Fri 8am - 8pm, Sat 9am – 12noon) or visit www.realnappycampaign.com
Charity shops
Charity shops accept good quality, reusable items during opening hours, such as books, bric-a-brac, CDs, clothes, games, records, shoes, and even mobile phones.
Please check with your local charity shop what they can accept.
Unwanted mail
Cut down on unwanted junk mail by putting a ‘no junk mail' sticker on your front door. These are available from libraries in Lambeth.
You can also register with the Mailing Preference Service at www.mpsonline.org.uk or call them on 020 7291 3310.
Reduce your rubbish
On average we each take home 323 plastic bags every year.
You can help reduce this by buying a 'bag for life' from local supermarkets, reusing ordinary plastic bags, or using a canvas or cloth bag when shopping.
Buy recycled
For recycling to have the greatest impact we need to buy more recycled items.
Look out for recycled products and buy them where you can - this is the final step in the recycling process.
New technology gives us recycled products that are of good quality and cost the same or are even cheaper than non-recycled products.
Recycled products available:
Everyday items:
- printer paper (guaranteed printer-friendly)
- toilet paper, tissues, kitchen roll
- greeting cards
- stationery
- bin bags
Unusual items:
- garden furniture
- drinking glasses
- pens and rulers (made from vending cups)
- fleeces (made from plastic bottles)
For more ideas visit www.recycledproducts.org.uk