Reasons why I should recycleSTOP! Less recycling – More thinkingReasons why I should recycle! Wait one second, let's look at reasons why you should stop and think about what recycling really is
Bulging recycling bins laden heavy with endless cardboard, newspapers, plastic, aluminium cans, foil and wot not. Glass bottles and jars stacked up ready for recycling and a bag of worn/unwanted/outgrown clothes ready for the charity shop. Great intentions.
What is wrong with all of this recycling? Isn’t this doing your bit for the environment?
I often use the phrase ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ as a code to live by, but earlier last year I changed this to reduce, reuse, recycle AND review. What’s being missed is ‘reduce and review’. Recycling is the end of the line – it’s what happens before a product gets put in the recycling bin that counts. Let’s look at all of these categories in-depth so we can all make an active and informed step towards helping the planet.
Reduce• what you consume• the amount of recycling you create • the amount of waste your household creates (whether recycling or landfill) • the amount of products your household buys • the need to buy new products (change your buying habits) • the need to throw into landfill (change your throwing away habits) • the need to follow trend, fashion and cutting edge design • the amount of packaging you buy (looking between brands for the most economical packaging) • the amount of disposable products you buy Reuse• anything you can - what can you buy that is second hand that will do the same job as a new product?• what you have at home – by repairing, renovating, reconditioning, redecorating, reinventing • what your friends, family or colleagues no longer need (someone else’s trash could be your treasure)
Recycle• as little as possible (say no to packaging!)• through swap parties with your friends and colleagues • at charity shops • through school fates • through local recycling networks like freecycle.org or jumbletown.ie
Review• what you need to buy - can you make something yourself?• what you are currently recycling or throwing away and see if you can reuse it • plan your waste in advance (sounds silly – but take some time to brainstorm with the family, to put an action list together of what is actual waste and what isn’t) • what you are buying and ask yourself if it will last a few years; look for durability, classic styles, neutral colours, quality etc. • take care of products you use and live with so they last longer • only recycle and throw away when all other avenues have been tried
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