Issue 1 21st December 2023
ECO FACTOR
Mahatma “The world has enough for everyone's Gandhi need, but not enough for everyone's greed.”
Recycling Recycling, it is a verb that some people just ignore how ever it should not be ignored as it is a key factor on hoe we can stop polluting and producing toxins into the atmosphere Why is it important? Recycling helps to retrieve resources that we have already used that can be reused. —Recycling helps to conserve natural resources — Recycling reduces the need to grow, harvest or extract new raw materials from the Earth. — Protecting ecosystems and wildlife —Recycling reduces the need for extracting (mining, quarrying and logging), refining and processing raw materials —Saving energy, making new materials.
What can you do? Every year, people produce seven times their body weight in waste. They waste up to £720 worth of food. It is important to focus on creating less waste in the first place in order to reduce the amount of waste produced. Here are a few tips to help you do your bit for the environment, save money and make the world a better place to live: Make a shopping list — A shopping list, plan your meals before shopping, and only purchase what you need. Avoid being tempted by special offers on food that may expire before you have a chance to use it. Remember, it is only a bargain if you actually need it. Additionally, consider shopping locally to reduce your carbon footprint. You can purchase food grown and products made nearby from farmers' markets, delicatessens, butchers, bakers, and green grocers.
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— To reduce unnecessary plastic carrier bags, it is recommended to bring a cloth bag or 'bag for life' when shopping. Additionally, buying loose fruit and vegetables is often cheaper than pre-packaged options. It is important to only use a bag for them if absolutely necessary. — Purchase dry goods, such as pasta, rice, and cereal, in bulk to save money and reduce waste. Avoid purchasing multipacks or individually wrapped items, which are more expensive, contain less product, and create more rubbish. —
Select products with recyclable packaging and avoid over-packaged goods.
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Opt for refills or long-lasting products, such as rechargeable batteries and low-energy light bulbs.
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Choose recycled products, such as toilet and kitchen roll, to reduce your environmental impact. Products made from recycled materials require less energy to produce and help conserve natural resources.
It is recommended to drink tap water instead of bottled water, as it is just as healthy, less expensive, and does not generate packaging waste. Consider purchasing a reusable water bottle to fill with tap water when you are on the go. Additionally, it is important to keep your fridge between 1-5 degrees Celsius to ensure that food is stored correctly and does not spoil quickly. Recycling tips — Most people can't recycle plastic bags and packaging at home, but supermarkets are now introducing front-of-store recycling collections. — On the other hand, plastic bottles can be recycled at home. Simply ensure that the bottle is empty, crush it to save space in the recycling lorry and your bin, and replace the cap. — Most household plastic containers such as pots, tubs, and trays can be recycled. Ensure that they are empty, remove any films and sleeves, and rinse them if they are dirty. — However, plastic toys and electronics are generally not accepted for recycling at home. You can donate them to charity shops, take them to local recycling centres. Or if you want some money for old and previously loved toys you can set up a car boot sale stall. — When it comes to recycling foil or cans, simply clean off any food residue and scrunch it into a ball before placing it in the recycling bin. Surprisingly, 29% of people still put foil and foil trays in the general rubbish bin. Remember, larger balls are easier to recycle. — Aerosols, whether air fresheners or deodorants, should not be put in the bin. Only the lids should go in with the general rubbish, while empty aerosols can be recycled. — Clear plastic trays, from fruit punnets to mushroom and meat trays, should not be put in the rubbish bin. Instead, they should be recycled as our local council collects them for recycling. To ensure that plastic pots and tubs, such as yoghurt pots and butter tubs, are recycled properly, it is important to rinse them to remove any food residue. Following these steps is essential to reduce waste and encourage recycling. — To ensure that plastic pots and tubs, such as yogurt pots and butter tubs, are recycled properly, it is important to rinse them to remove any food residue. Avoid throwing them in the general waste bin and recycle them instead. Remember to leave the labels and lids on.
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Recycling myths "There is no point recycling, it doesn't make a difference" Recycling prevents tonnes of waste from being buried in landfills and saves about 10-15 million tonnes of carbon emissions annually in the UK. Recycling diverts tonnes of waste from landfill and saves the UK around 10-15 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year. Recycling diverts tonnes of waste from landfill and saves the UK around 10-15 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year - the equivalent of taking 3.5 million cars off the road. "Paper can only be recycled a few times" Although paper fibres begin to break down after being recycled five to six times, they can still be repurposed for egg cartons, loft insulation, paints, and even new road surfaces. "Recycling metal uses more energy than extracting the raw material" Mining and processing metals require significant amounts of resources and energy, which makes recycling cans a more sustainable option. In fact, recycling cans can save up to 95% of the energy needed to produce new cans from raw materials. Tips to help you start recycling — Ensure that you have the appropriate bins, boxes, bags, or caddies. If you do not have a recycling bin, box, bag, or caddy, contact your local authority to inquire about obtaining one. — Check with your local authority to determine the collection day for your recycling. Record the date on a calendar or set a reminder on your phone. — Store your recyclables in a convenient location before taking them to the bin. Remember to include recyclables from all rooms in your home, including the bathroom — Ensure that all members of your household are aware of the importance of reusing and recycling items before disposing of them.If your home does not have a recycling collection service, locate your nearest recycling drop-off point.
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