Waste minimisation tips
When items are sent to landfill, it unnecessarily wastes resources and damages the environment - resources are extracted, processed, transported, often only used once and then transported to a landfill site where they are buried in the ground for thousands of years. This, along with the landfill sites filling up and a lack of space for new landfill sites, has led to the Scottish Government and the EU setting targets for reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill (Towards Zero Waste) by:
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Reducing or preventing the amount of waste produced - not creating the waste in the first place;
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Reusing as much as possible - support local reuse projects and charity shops;
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Recycling what remains, if possible - using kerbside recycling, recycling points and recycling centres;
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Recovering energy from the waste - waste becomes a resource.
Every household in Perth and Kinross produces over 1.1 tonnes of waste per year and this figure is rising. At present, most of this waste still ends up in landfill. Although recycling is part of the solution there is much more we can do. We can prevent or reduce waste before we even think about disposing of it.
On average, 80% of the content of the rubbish bin is able to be recycled - Perth and Kinross are currently at 38% and are aiming for the 70% recycling and composting target by 2025.
A new source of funding, the Community Waste Fund is now available for any groups to bid for who have an idea for setting up a project that will help reduce waste going to landfill in their community.
Tips to reduce, reuse and recycle
Reduce
- Register with the Mailing Preference Service to prevent unwanted mail.
- SMART SHOP: Look for items that use the minimum amount of packaging, for example loose fruit and vegetables and those that are locally grown to support local businesses.
- Refuse plastic bags when shopping. Use long life or fabric bags instead.
- Use refillable containers or bottles for lunches, drinks and storing in the fridge or freezer (instead of using foil or disposable freezer bags).
Save money too:
- Make the most of the constantly changing supply of books and magazines, videos, DVD's and CD's at the local library or mobile library
- Use an OWL to keep a check on how much electricity is being used in your household and switch off lights and appliances when they are not in use to save electricity, money and prolong the appliance's life.
- Buy long-life energy saving light bulbs
- Repair and refurbish rather than buying new - the SORT IT website has a list of places to repair things
- Hire tools or equipment for occasional jobs or borrow them from a neighbour or friend
- Use Love Food Hate Waste Recipes
Reuse
- Use rechargeable batteries instead of buying new ones each time.
- As much as possible avoid disposable items such as razors, dusters, nappies and tissues. Instead buy washable hankies, dusters and nappies and reusable razors. For information about using real nappies, go to the Real Nappy Network website.
- Donate old furniture, household items, electrical items, clothing and bedding, books, toys, bicycles, games and CD's to charities or local initiatives.
- Donate unwanted magazines to the local doctor's or dentist's surgery
- One person's waste is often another's resource so Freecycle, Gumtree, free ads and car boot sales are good for passing on unwanted items in good condition or finding new belongings.
Recycle
Also see the A-Z Guide for more ideas for reducing, reusing and recycling in Perth and Kinross.
