Reducing Waste

We are all increasingly aware of the climate change crisis and thinking about how to take action can be quite overwhelming, particularly when social media is littered with images of 'perfect' zero wasters using very expensive metal lunchboxes and wax sandwich wraps in their minimal bare-brick lofts. However, it can actually be quite easy. And save you money! It's not about being perfect and worrying about not doing enough necessarily, it's about thinking for a minute and doing what you can.





REFUSE
We are offered things all the time but do we really need or want them? Will they just end up in the bin?

REPAIR
If something breaks, can you actually fix it rather than throwing it away and buying a new one?

REUSE
Years ago, before mass plastic production and commercialisation, people just reused things and the thought of throwing something away and buying a new one didn't really occur. before throwing something away, can you repurpose it? Or can you replace disposable items with reusable ones?

REDUCE
We can reduce our waste by reducing the 'stuff' in the first place. for example, if you only buy the food you know you will eat, you won't waste any. or can you find things that have multi-uses?

RECYCLE
Recycling should be the last resort if possible but definitely better than the rubbish bin. You can check with your council website what they recycle locally - make sure that you are not contaminating your recycling bin and sending it to landfill by accident!

I've compiled a list of actions, some small, some more committed, so perhaps you could choose a few that you could easily incorporate.

Reusable water bottle - they sell them as cheaply as £2 in places like Wilko. If you are buying 2 500ml bottles of water a day, Mon-Fri, you probably spend £8 a week on water. Water! That's 104 plastic bottles and a cost of £416 a year!!!!!!! More info about tapwater here...

Reusable coffee cup - Most takeaway coffee shops will give you a discount if you bring your own cup (50p at Pret!). Disposable coffee cups look like cardboard but they are actually lined with plastic. Reusable ones can be bought as cheaply as £2.99 - that will have paid for itself in 6 Pret coffees!

Recycle - if you can't reuse, are you recycling? Here's some useful advice...

Say no to straws! - if you REALLY feel the need for one, you can get reusable ones but why do you need a straw?!

Use a cloth bag instead of plastic - they are given away for free at loads of events and you probably already have some lying around. Just keep one in your pocket or bag and you can avoid the plastic bag mountain building up at home and then in the oceans!

Reusable cutlery - even just put some from home in your bag then wash it when you get back home.

Bring your own lunch and snacks 

Cleaning with vinegar and water - commercial cleaning products are full of chemicals and cost loads. And most of them have the same basic ingredients but are advertised for different tasks to encourage us to buy more. The simplest is general cleaner with vinegar and water but this video goes into more depth.  of course, you don't need to buy special glass bottles - you can just clean out and reuse an existing bottle!

Mending your clothes- if you have a needle and some threat, you can very easily make repairs for small things like missing buttons or small holes rather than buying new clothes.  Or make friends with someone with a sewing machine who knows how to use it!

Compost food waste- you can do this in your garden if you have one and grow things but most councils will collect food waste. When it goes to landfill it gets trapped in the other rubish and creates gasses as it decomposes. Yuk.

Freeze leftovers and make stock - there is a post about it here

Alum stick - this is a natural deodorant that lasts for ages (my travel size one is still going after 2 years!). They are often on special offer and much cheaper than newer brands.

Biodegradable bin bags - some councils will recycle plastic bags but those you put your rubbish in will go to landfill.  There are biodegradable ones though which are quite cheap when bought in big packs HERE.

Loose produce bags - rather than using those flappy plastic bags, buy, make or repurpose something

Buy veg loose in a market - it's super cheap, there's no plastic and you can buy just the amount you need.

Make your own bread - can be time-consuming but is fun and quite therapeutic! Soda bread is a good way to start because it's easy and fast.

Solid shampoo - there are loads out there, some are terrible but some are really good.  And they can't leak when you're travelling!

Bamboo toothbrush- check with your dentist first but these are compostable

Metal razor - they can last a lifetime and you just need to replace the razor blades. Vintage ones can be found even cheaper on eBay

Bar soap - easy to find with no packaging, often way better for your skin

Soapnuts - these are natural cleaning 'nuts' that you put in your washing machine (no need for softener but you can use essential oil if you want a smell) and then you compost them after a few washes.

Fully use things up- make a massive stew, squeeze last bit of toothpaste...

Loose leaf tea- teabags are usually lined with plastic but you can use a metal tea bag or buy a teapot from a charity shop!

Buy in bulk- not always cheap at bulk shops but buy bigger packs of pasta etc and split with a friend

Menstrual cups - for those who menstruate, it can cost a fortune each month. Once you get the hang of these (and if they work for you) it's easy and saves you an absolute fortune.

Buy secondhand- eBay, charity shops (also sell on eBay)

Swap! - Skills, clothes, batch cooking

Rechargeable batteries - they cost a bit to buy in the first place but pay for themselves after two charges.  there is a battery recycling point in college by the main doors.

Led lightbulbs - they last much longer than the old school type

Turn things off - saves so much electricity!

Grow your own food - growing all your food is impossible in London but even with a small windowsill, you can grow herbs and chillies. There is a food growing club in college in the secret garden.

Stop using cling film- Tupperware boxes, parchment, foil (then recycle) or beeswax wraps are reusable.

Cut down on toiletries- google 'DIY sustainable toiletries' and there's loads of info

Stop using baby wipes - they don't degrade! This is quite hideous. They create 'fatbergs'.

Paper towels- Cut up and old t-shirt or get reusable cloths

Eat less/sustainable/ no meat- save it for once a week and use all parts. Game is cheap and all meat is cheaper from a butcher

Fountain pen!- find on eBay and get a refillable cartridge and some ink. Less likely to lose.

Buy better quality- sometimes expensive outlay but you can often find cheap in charity shop or on eBay. Saves buying twice.

Walk more - it's good for your mental and physical health, saves you money and reduces your carbon footprint.  Easy.

Foil ball - small pieces of foil can end up contaminating the recycling chain but if you gather bits up and roll them into a ball, it's bigger and will be detected

Reuse envelopes etc for lists before recycling


Eco bricks - see HERE

FURTHER RESOURCES:

BBC series