Reduce

 

 

 

Waste reduction means taking steps to avoid producing as much waste in the first place

 

If we try not to produce as much waste, then we have less to deal with.

Visit Waste Aware Scotland's Reduce pages for tips and information on what's happening now.

Here are a few simple tips as well:

• Do not buy heavily packaged goods.
• Buy 'loose' food rather than pre-packaged.
• Stop junk mail through the Mailing Preference Service.
• Cancel delivery of unwanted newspapers and magazines.
• Use your own shopping bags or a ‘bag-for-life’ when visiting the supermarket or use the doorstep delivery service.
• Grow your own vegetables. Many varieties can be grown in small gardens.
• Use a nappy laundry service and real nappies instead of disposables.
• Take a packed lunch to work or school in a reusable plastic container.
• Use a Home Composter and Green Cone Food Digester to help make the most of your kitchen and garden waste.
• Choose items such as wind up torches, radios, watches and toys to help you reduce the number of batteries you use and have to dispose of.
• Repair your household items to extend their life and reduce the amount of waste you have to throw away.

How about keeping a waste diary for a week to see exactly what you and your household are throwing away?

You can also see what impact your household has on the environment by using the ecological footprint calculator.