feature: Watch your waste!
17 March 2008
Haringey’s recycling rate has risen to record levels. But all of us can do more to protect the environment by cutting our rubbish in the first place.
As Madonna once noted, we are living in a material world.
That was back in the 1980s. But the sheer amount of material we get through has continued to increase since then.
Last year the average resident in Haringey produced more than a third of a tonne of rubbish. And figures show the amount of waste we produce has been rising steadily at over two per cent per year.
A quarter of household waste is now recycled in Haringey, but even recycling costs money and consumes energy. These materials have to be produced in the first place, transported to the retailer, then picked up for recycling, and again transported for reprocessing.
The very best way to help protect the environment and reduce carbon emissions is to think more carefully about the things you buy in the first place.
Cabinet member for environment and conservation Cllr Brian Haley said:
“As a borough, and as a country, we need to cut down on the amount of rubbish we are producing. And once again, small individual actions can make a big difference.
“I’d encourage everyone to ask some questions before buying any product. Do I really need it? Can I buy something else that isn’t already wrapped? Do I need a plastic bag to carry it?
“All of this will help us reduce our waste mountain and protect the environment for future generations.”
There are many ways you can cut down on your rubbish:
- Buy a reusable bag so that you don’t need to keep picking up plastic bags when you go shopping
- Sign up to the Mailing Preference Service to cut down on unnecessary post
- Use a “no junk mail” sticker to keep your doormat clear of take-away menus
- Buy non-perishable food items in bulk, rather than individually wrapped, as this saves on packaging
- Take any leftovers to work in a Tupperware box so that you don’t need to buy a pre-packaged sandwich at lunchtime
- Switch to reusable cloth nappies for your child
- Unwanted clothes, books, CDs, DVDs and videos will always find a new home somewhere. Share them with friends and family or take them to a charity shop, rather than putting them in the bin
- Most important of all, before buying a new product, ask yourself if you really genuinely need it.
For more tips and information visit: www.haringey.gov.uk/reduce.
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