Recycling is a big movement at the moment and it’s set to grow as more governments around the world are setting targets to minimize and reduce waste generation and disposal.

We can all play our part and move towards a zero waste existence. It may sound impossible, but if you think about recycling everything you have and use instead of sending it to a landfill site, we could all do our bit to make the world a zero waste environment.

Here’s how.

Compost

All of our food can be composted and recycled into amazing, rich soil to re-use in the garden and to grow vegetables. Composting can arguably be the single most effective action you can take to help the planet and environment as it reduces the need for toxic chemical pesticides and fertilizers, reduces the need to water your garden and stops pollution with the use of bonfires.

Around 30 per cent of household waste is made up of grass clippings and kitchen scraps, so just by and composting your food leftovers you are reducing the amount of waste that goes into landfill sites.

If you are undertaking a garden clearance, then you can recycle and compost all over your garden waste including grass clippings, leaves, flower heads and stems and shrub cuttings.

Recycle

Recycling household waste has become part of our everyday routine. More and more people are recycling their waste because they realize that recycling is building a sustainable future. It is estimated that 60-70 per cent of household waste can be recycled and reused in some shape or form.   In a modern, materialistic society huge volumes of waste are being generated and this cannot continue to be disposed of by landfill methods. The more waste we produce and use the more space it takes to dispose of it and we are running out of space and land as well as it contaminating the environment.

It’s also worth remembering that by recycling we are reducing impact on the environment, as it is more eco-friendly to recover and recycle materials than to source completely raw materials to make packaging, goods and products. It will also be cheaper for manufacturers to recycle and reuse materials than to manufacture using raw materials from scratch.

As well as recycling packaging including bottles, boxes, tins, and containers, larger items such as white goods, sofas, tables, chairs, mattresses and beds can be recycled. You can do this by using recycling websites which arrange for unwanted items to be recycled. There is also a huge trend of reusing furniture and appliances rather than buying new.

If you don’t have the time or resources, you could arrange for a house clearance that is carried out by reputable companies who will clear your large items of waste and recycle the goods that are recyclable.

Upcycle

Upcycling goods is a growing trend and is becoming popular with the `make do and mend’ culture that has sprung up since the economic downturn. More people instead of throwing away their unwanted items of furniture are giving them a completely new lease of life. For instance, old chairs can be reupholstered and repainted, and large chests of drawers or units can be stripped down, sanded and revarnished or repainted to make them look completely different. Old material and clothing can be upcycled into new quilts, throws and cushions and old and unwanted items can be made into completely new pieces of furniture. An old door can be remade into a large dining table, and an old wardrobe can be refurbished to make a good quality storage cupboard by adding shelving and compartments to it.

With a little imagination, all types of furniture can be upcycled into a new piece either for the same use or a completely new, upcycled use which helps the environment too.

 

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