Further information

Don’t waste your money!

Here are some useful ideas to reduce waste and save you money

Food Waste

• Only buy what you need and take a shopping list when you go shopping.
• Don't buy heavily packaged items when you go to the supermarket (e.g. buy loose food items instead of pre-packed, its often cheaper and you buy only what you need).
• Buy drinks in a few large containers, rather than in lots of small ones. This saves waste and is more economical too!
• Use your own reusable bags when you go to the shops instead of taking home plastic carrier bags. 
• Buy a mixture of fresh, canned and frozen food.
• You can make lots of tasty recipies from leftover food and it’s a great way to reduce your waste and save money. See the Love Food Hate Waste website [external link] for more information.

Batteries

Give your batteries a longer life!

Do your tired, run-down old batteries need a change of scenery? – Bring them to our new BatteryBack bank so they can be recycled.

A collection point has been introduced at South Norfolk Council, Long Stratton and also Long Stratton Leisure Centre in Reception. All household portable sealed batteries (such as AA and AAA batteries) are welcome and can be deposited in the tub located on the Environmental, Health and Leisure services reception counter. Alternatively, batteries can be taken to any of the Household Waste Recycling Centres throughout the District.

Together we can help Britain meet its legal commitment to achieve 25% battery recycling by 2012.

Junk mail

Stop junk mail, by registering free with the Mail Preference Service [external link].

Inkjet Cartridges and mobile phones – Refill your old print cartridges at various shops and outlets across the county. If this is not possible in your area, many charities collect these items via post-back envelopes.

Nappies

Use washable nappies! As well as reducing waste, they can save you up to £600 with your first child. See the Norfolk County Council website [external link] for information on the special discount available to families wanting to try out washable nappies.

Shredded paper

Shredded paper cannot be collected in the green recycling bin, but can be recycled separately at South Norfolk paper banks – but better still reuse it as animal bedding or as packaging material. It can also be composted successfully.

Envelopes

Use envelopes again, stick a label over the original address.

Party plates & cups

Hire or borrow glasses/plates etc. when having a party, instead of using plastic disposable ones.

Clothes

Take your unwanted clothes and bric-a-brac to a charity shop, so someone else can use them. You might even find a bargain there yourself!

Bottles

Buy products in refillable bottles.Old plastic bottles cut in half make good mini propagators for seedlings.

Containers

Used plastic, cardboard, glass and metal containers can be put to use again – as containers! Used small jars are excellent for storing herbs and spices as they keep them airtight. Plastic fruit trays such as those that contain tomatoes can be used as seed trays. Better still – avoid all unnecessary packaging in the first place if you can.

CDs

Old, unplayable CDs and unwanted CDRoms can be used as reflectors for gateposts or toscare away birds from your garden.

Your rubbish is someone else’s treasure!

• Give to and buy from charity shops and car boots, If something is broken ‘Fix it -don’t bin it’.
• Contact your local Furniture Re-use Network - they distribute unwanted furniture and household goods to those in need.
• Join South Norfolk’s very own Freegle group! Freelge - which means Free Giving, Locally and Easily, is an online group which lets people to find new homes for unwanted but useful items, rather than throwing them away. Visit South Norfolk Freegle and start Freegling [external link]

External links

Global Action Plan UK
Practical help for households wanting to reduce waste and their environmental impact.

Mail Preference Service
Fed up with junk mail? You can get your name and address removed from up to 95% of direct mailing lists by subscribing free. Also see the Fax Preference Service and Telephone Preference Service linked from the Mailing Preference Service site.

reuze.co.uk
Lots of information about waste, reduction, reuse and recycling. Also available information on where to obtain reclaimed/reconditioned materials and items and on collection services.

Women's Environmental Network
Includes ideas and campaigns for waste reduction.

About links to other websites.