Reduce waste, save money, enjoy summer
We are officially in the heat of summer, full of slow days at the beach, garden BBQ’s and family holidays. There are so many fun ways to fill long summer days and many of them call for products unique to sunny days including sunscreen, insect spray, garden chairs, paddle pools, airbeds and lots more. Replacing seasonal products, may raise a few questions about what we do with the old stuff? .
It worth remembering that less waste means less disposal, less for recycling and reduced stress about get things done at home. Taking the lead wheather at home or at the office BBQ can change habits and encourage family members and co-workers to do the same! This summer why not give it a go and make it a reduce, reuse and recycling summer.
There are lots of ways to reduce waste, save time and spend less money all of which helps our environment so let’s start today. Get started by sharing the 24 tips listed below.
Recycle IT have listed 21 tips to avoid waste and save this Summer!
Steps include
- Use a shopping basket instead of a trolley.
- Do not buy over packaged products. e.g fruit or meat.
- Leave excess packaging at the store or shop – they might get the idea!
- Think about whether you need an item before you buy it.
- Go paperless – stop printing, e.g. buy an online newspaper subscription.
- Print on both side of the page or not at all.
- Reject junk mail – place a sign on your post box.
- Give away or sell what you don’t need.
- Purchase used products from the web, car boot sales or classified ads.
- Make the decision to reuse e.g. books, clothes, shoes.
- Buy less food – purchase what you need not what you want!
- Compost and mulch your garden greens for reuse.
- Borrow, lend, rent, and share equipment including toys, and tools.
- Maintain and repair instead of replacing.
- Buy for a long life or durability.
- Be mindful of buying into trends or fads – they are short-lived.
- Use long life light bulbs.
- Use recyclable, repairable, refillable, re usable, or biodegradable products.
- Bring food to school, work or on picnic’s in reusable containers..
- Plan travel to help reduce CO2 emissions.
- Question the need for new stuff in your home or the office.
- Reuse paper and plastic shopping bags for gifting items, grocery or clothes shopping.
- Think about your disposal coffee cup usage – change the habit!
- Cycle to the shops regularly rather than driving once. (get exercise/save fuel)
Five facts about waste in Ireland?
- The total amount of waste generated in the state (industrial, commercial, household) at the last full survey was 19.8 Million tonnes which is equivalent to 4.3 tonnes per person
- The economic downturn has had a marked influence on municipal waste generation. It has decreased by 17% since it peaked in 2007
- Household waste generated per person in Ireland in 2011 amounted to 367kg which is considerably less than the EU average of 438kg
- One third of the food we buy ends up in the bin. This can cost the average household up to €1,000 per year
- Ireland is among the top performing EU countries in terms of municipal waste recycling
Source: Environmental Protection Agency, Ireland.
About Recycle IT
Recycle IT recycle lights and much more! We are an award-winning not for profit social enterprise providing recycling collection and drop off services for all types of waste electrical, electronic equipment (WEEE) and pure metal items.
During 2017 Recycle IT offered drop off and collection services to over 90,000 homes, schools, charities and businesses across Dublin and surrounding areas collecting a range of WEEE which includes thousands of computers, cables, monitors, microwaves and TV’s.
Recycle IT services are provided in partnership with WEEE Ireland. Recycle IT are supported by Pobal, South Dublin County Council and authorized by the National Waste Collection Permit Office and the local authorities across Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow.
To learn more about recycling electrical equipment please call Recycle IT on 01 4578321 or email us
Recycle IT 