The 4R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Refuse

By following these simple steps, greenhouse gas emissions are automatically reduced by decreasing waste sent to landfills and incinerators!

Some ideas on the four R’s are below.

Reduce

  • Buy products with little or minimal packaging
  • Reduce use of cling film by using a plate on top of a bowl in the microwave and fridge
  • Use dish cloths or reusable dusters instead of paper towels
  • Purchase goods made from recycled items and goods that can be recycled
  • Reduce food travel miles by growing your own fruit and vegetables or by buying local
  • Reduce your environmental footprint by printing only when necessary and being mindful of paper usage
  • Choose to print double sided instead of single sided to reduce paper wastage

Reduce Food Waste

When we throw away food, we are not only throwing away money but we are also filling up landfills, wasting water and creating harmful methane gas.

It is estimated that households in the UK throw away 6.6 million tonnes of food per year, of which 4.5 million tonnes is edible!

  • Food waste is a bigger cause of Climate Change than plastics –Methane, released into the atmosphere from food decomposing in landfill, has over 21 times more warming power than CO2.
  • UK households waste on average £700 per year by throwing food away.
  • 33% of food is wasted before it even reaches our plates – this can happen during harvesting, processing, transportation, storage and retail.
Chopping Veg

Ways to Reduce Food Waste

  • Go to the shop with a list and stick to it
  • Don’t go to the shop with an empty stomach as it can lead to excess buying
  • Transform leftovers into new meals to minimise food waste and save time
  • Extend the shelf life of food and prevent waste by freezing it
  • Overripe Fruit and vegetables may not look pretty, but still taste delicious in recipes such as smoothies, bread, jams, sauces.
  • Know your dates! Understanding the difference between ‘best before’ and ‘use-by’ dates means you can avoid throwing away good food unnecessarily Best before is about quality: food will be safe to eat after this date but may no longer be at its best. Use-by is about safety: food shouldn’t be eaten, cooked or frozen after this date, as it could be unsafe – even if it looks and smells fine.
  • Keep a food diary so you don’t buy more than you need

Love Food Hate Waste provide lots of useful information on preventing food waste.

Reuse

  • Reuse plastic bags. Use plastic food containers for growing herbs.
  • Develop a sustainable wardrobe by buying second hand clothing and items.
  • If you are replacing items donate the old items to charity shops.
  • Use cloth gift bags and reuse gift bags and wrapping paper.
  • Use washable table napkins or table cloths instead of paper ones.
  • Buy washable cotton nappies instead of single use ones.

Recycle

Examples of the types of materials that can be recycled include:

  • Acid Batteries
  • Aluminium Cans/Steel Cans
  • Building Materials
  • Cardboard
  • Electronic equipment
  • Glass (particularly bottles and jars)
  • Lead
  • Magazines/Newspapers/Paper
  • Metal
  • Oil
  • Paint
  • Plastic Bags/Plastic Bottles
  • Tyres
  • Garden Waste

Discover the proper way to dispose of and recycle household items. Get useful tips by searching for an item to see if it’s permitted in your Blue Bin by following the link below.

Refuse

  • Choose Reusable: Opt for reusable bags, containers, and water bottles instead of single-use items.
  • Compost: Set up a compost bin for organic waste like food scraps and yard trimmings.
  • Avoid Single-Use Plastics: Use alternatives to disposable cutlery, straws, and cups.
  • Repair and Reuse: Fix broken items and find new uses for old ones instead of discarding them.
  • Recycle Properly: Follow local recycling guidelines to ensure items are correctly sorted and processed.
  • Educate Household Members: Teach family or housemates about waste reduction practices and encourage participation.

Climate Change and You