Environment

What is it all about?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waste Reduction is...

• Reduction or elimination of the amount of waste produced in the first place,
• Being economical with materials, energy and money,
• Development of products or production techniques to minimise waste generation,
• Reprocessing waste material for reuse.

 

Why is it so important?

Currently the majority of our waste goes to landfill which is not ideal as...

• It is a waste of resources that could be reclaimed for re-use,
• It is potentially damaging to the environment,
• We are running out of locations suitable for waste disposal and the amount of waste we produce is increasing every year.

What can I do about it?

Take a good look at the waste you produce and ask yourself a few simple questions;

• Is there anything which may be of use to someone else?
• Is there anything which may be of use with a little modification?

There are many different ways to minimise your waste at home, at work or at school.

At Home

• Take your own bags to the supermarket (reuse plastic bags or use a bag for life),
• Get milk delivered in glass bottles, which  may be returned, washed and reused,
• Buy goods with less packaging.

At Work

• Print and photocopy on both side of paper where possible,
• Carry out a simple waste audit.  Where is the waste produced in your work place and how could you reduce it?
• Use e-mail instead of leaving paper notes,
• Take lunches in a reusable box instead of using sandwich bags.
• Provide recycling facilities for waste paper, cans, glass, etc,
• Use 'junk' (egg cartons, yoghurt pots etc) for craft work,

 

Top Tips

• Old T-shirts make great dusters or cloths,
• Share trips to the recycling centre with another family,
• Buy loose fruit and veg,
• Give old toys to the local playgroup,
• Don't impulse buy,
• Inner packets of cereal boxes can be used for your packed lunch,
• Swap books with friends.

 

Where can I find Out More?

The DoE website for the 'Wake up to Waste Campaign'

www.wakeuptowaste.org

The EHS website contains information on the NI Waste Strategy and legislation.

www.ehsni.gov.uk

A guide to products available in the UK that contain recycled materials.

www.recycledproducts.org.uk

You can download or print factsheets including 'buy recycled' from this site.

www.wastewatch.org.uk 

Some information on products made from recycled materials

www.useitagain.org.uk

The Irish government's waste awareness campaign

www.raceagainstwaste.com