Website of the UK government

Reducing waste

18 per cent of household waste is packaging from retail purchases. Shopping carefully, avoiding disposable bags, and choosing re-usable products are some of the ways in which you can avoid waste in the first place. Some tips include:

• taking your own bag when you go shopping can help reduce the 10bn plastic bags that are handed out by supermarkets each year
• registering with the Mailing Preference Service allows you to avoid unwanted junk mail being sent to your home
• try not to waste food - the average UK household spends £424 a year on food which is thrown away uneaten (for example buying things and not using them, or cooking too much for a meal and then throwing it away)
• buying re-usable nappies can help cut waste; washing these in bulk, for example through a nappy laundry service helps to reduce the energy used - many councils offer schemes providing subsidised nappies or laundry services, which could save you money
• avoiding products with unnecessary packaging

• Reduce junk mail by registering with the Mailing Preference Service Opens new window
• Reducing your waste - find out more Opens new window

Repair

Household items including computers, electrical equipment and furniture can be repaired or re-used by others. Search online or in your local phone book for repair services in your area.

Re-use

Many items can be re-used, including mobile phones, computers, printer cartridges, left-over paint and clothes. Even if you have finished with something, someone else will often be able to use it. National charity organisations, local charity shops, internet auction sites and free exchange schemes, may be able to re-use your unwanted items.

• Recycling
• Give away unwanted items through Freecycle Opens new window

Computers
There are a large number of organisations throughout the UK that will accept unwanted computer equipment and repair or recycle it. Many of them are charities that provide benefits to the local community.

• Electrical goods and gadgets: greener choices
• Find out what to do with unwanted computers Opens new window
• Find local organisations that take computers Opens new window

Furniture
Unwanted or broken furniture can be re-used, mended or recycled. The Furniture Recycling Network can put you in touch with local schemes that pass on furniture and appliances to low income families. Vintage and second-hand furniture is often a popular choice if you are looking for new furniture or want to get rid of old furniture in good condition.

• Furniture Re-use Network Opens new window

Paint
Try not to buy more paint than you need - more than 300m litres of paint are bought each year and a significant amount never gets used. Left-over paint can be donated to a national network of paint re-use organisations, or disposed of safely through your local council.

• What to do with unwanted paint Opens new window
• Community RePaint - find a project to donate unwanted paint Opens new window

Books, DVDs, CDs
Second hand books, CDs and DVDs can be bought and sold on-line, or taken to your local charity shop.

• Find out what to do with unwanted books Opens new window

The wider issue

Making new products uses energy and raw materials. As a general rule, re-using or repairing things rather than buying new ones:

• helps to keep valuable materials out of landfill sites
• uses less energy than making new products, helping to tackle climate change

There are some exceptions – old appliances like boilers and fridge-freezers use much more energy than new ones. If you need more advice contact your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012.

• Waste and resource use - find out more

More useful links

• Disposal of bulky items (home and community section)
• Find recycled items to buy, including designer goods Opens new window
• Find a charity shop near you Opens new window