Community

Waste not

Recycling’s great, but if you can avoid creating waste in the first place, that’s even better! From taking your own carrier bags shopping, to careful meal planning to minimise food waste – there are plenty of ways to cut your rubbish and save your hard-earned money

Say ‘no’ to junk mail
Junk mail can form a significant part of our paper waste. Sign up to the Mail Preference Service to put an end to unsolicited advertising mail and receive only the post that matters. You can sign up at www. mpsonline.org.uk. Royal Mail also allows you to opt out of receiving leaflets or unaddressed promotional material. To opt out head to www.royalmail.com and search ‘opt out’. Be extra wary when you are supplying your name and address. Look for the tick boxes and check that you indicate you don’t want your details to be passed on to a third person or used for future promotions.

Be shopping savvy
Think carefully when you shop. Are second-hand versions of what you are looking for available? Is what you are buying overly packaged? Perhaps it’s worth paying a little bit more for something that will last considerably longer? Ditch the disposables and use real crockery and cutlery for parties. Rechargeable batteries cost a little more but can be used again and again. Don’t get caught out by the 5p disposable carrier bag charge! Never leave the house without a bag for life or other reusable shopping bag. Stash them in the boot of your car so they’re always there when you need them. You can pop a folded cotton bag in your handbag or a coat pocket.

Give unloved items a new home
The saying goes, one man’s rubbish is another’s treasure. There’s likely to be someone else who would gladly take your old household items and unloved furniture. Check the Furniture Re-use item: www.frn.org.uk. You could also use a website such as Freegle (www.ilovefreegle.org) or donate your furniture to a local charity such as the Peterborough Salvation Army (01733 348777 or 553388), Sue Ryder Care (01733 352732) or CareZone (01733 575083). White goods that still work can be taken to the council’s WEEE Reuse facility for distribution to charities and families on low incomes. Local charity shops are always on the lookout for quality clothing and unwanted gifts. They are a great place to buy too, saving you money and creating no new waste.

Love every scrap of food
Food waste is an area we could really improve on. Across the UK in the region of £12.5billion worth of food is thrown away every year, costing the average family an incredible £60 a month! Cut the waste and you could really trim your weekly food bill, freeing up money for more of life’s other pleasures. The key to saving food is to plan ahead. Put together a weekly meal plan then write a shopping list and stick to it! Two-for-one deals are no good if you’ll end up throwing much of it away. Always shop on a full stomach to avoid the temptation of buying items that aren’t on your list. The Love Food Hate Waste website has lots of handy food storage tips, delicious recipes and advice on portioning and how to meal plan. Head to: www.lovefoodhatewaste.com

Paint the town
Paint is something we struggle to dispose of. Get rid of paint responsibly and help others by donating any leftovers to a local charity. The Community RePaint scheme matches those who have leftover paint with those who need paint for a project: www.communityrepaint.org.uk

Useful contacts
● WEEE Reuse Facility: Fengate, Peterborough PE1 5XG. Tel: 01733 425450. Open Mon-Fri, 9am – 3.30pm ● Household Recycling Centre: Welland Road, Dogsthorpe, Peterborough PE1 3TD. Open daily, 8am – 4pm ● For general advice on waste and recycling, including collection days, visit: www.peterborough.gov.uk/residents/rubbish-and-recycling

Image: www.freepik.com/free-vector/collection-of-smiling-healthy-food_1039579

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