Global Recycling Day – Small Changes to Reduce Household Waste

Global Recycling Day – Small Changes to Reduce Household Waste

By Rachael – Content Editor

Published March 2022

 

First created back in 2018, Global Recycling Day was designed to celebrate and recognise the importance of recycling in preserving the planet. A day where we can all raise awareness of the importance of greener living and inspire others to make small changes. Find out more here.

At QD, we are on a mission to become more environmentally responsible and we hope you will join us! Together, our small changes can make the world of difference.

We have put together a list of helpful tips that will reduce your household waste, whilst saving you money.

Ditch plastic bags.

Most of us are pretty good at bringing along our own “bags for life” when we get the groceries, but they’re still plastic. Try switching to larger fabric bags, or better still – make your own! In our house, we are forever piling up our “rag bag” ready for the charity shop, but a lot of these fabrics can be recycled around the home.

Buying fabric new is an expensive task, but just think about how much fabric you could use on an old duvet set or a ripped summer dress? Old pillowcases are perfect for making your own fabric tote bags. A fabric tote bag makes a strong alternative to a plastic bag and is easy to wash on a regular basis to keep them hygienic for your weekly grocery shopping.

 

Try reusable over disposable.

Wipes are so convenient, and since the pandemic, they have become commonplace in many households. Not all household jobs need to rely on disposable cleaning wipes, consider whether your cleaning task can be done with a solution and a washable cloth? Cloths are reusable and will last you much longer. You can even get reusable face pads for makeup remover – and if you’re nifty with a sewing needle you can make these from fabric scraps. Keep a special net or container near your laundry basket to keep these smaller pads ready for the next wash.

Make do and mend.

Not all clothes need to be discarded if they suffer from an odd rip or tear. Smaller tears and holes can be repaired with a simple fold and stitch, whilst larger holes can be mended with a patch. Aside from clothing and linens, many household items can be fixed after minor breaks. Take the time to consider whether an item can be mended before discarding it. You could even offer up your broken product for free collection to your local neighbours to see if anyone could make use of it?

Think before you throw.

With our own recycling bins for every home, we are confident in everyday household recycling – but don’t forget the little things. Items such as batteries are not allowed in our household recycling bins, but they are still easy to recycle! Wash out a large glass jar and keep it on the side near your stash of fresh batteries. Then every time you change some batteries over, you will remember to discard the old ones safely. Once the jar fills up, bring it along with you to one of our stores and pop them in our battery recycling bin. We will then have the batteries sent away to be recycled responsibly.

 

First in, first out.

This thought process can apply to all areas of consumables in your home. The idea is to be sure that you use up your old products first to avoid waste. When you are putting away your groceries, bring all the old tins and packets to the front. This will make sure you use up older dated products first.

We’ve all been there, you’ve just splashed out on some fancy new toiletries and you can’t wait to try them. Resist the temptation! Making sure you use up your old products first will not only save you money but will keep your newer products fresher for longer.

Create a new purpose.

Have a little look in your recycling bin and think about how you could re-use some of the items. Plastic trays from fruits, vegetables and supermarket meats are very versatile for household use. Plastic trays and yoghurt pots make excellent seedling planters. For an urban chic look on your windowsill, try planting some of your favourite herbs into washed-out tin cans. You may need to add some small drainage holes at the bottom (carefully!), but you can then enjoy tasty ingredients at your fingertips. This also avoids yet more plastic packaging from picking up the odd sprig of rosemary from the supermarket for your Sunday roast.

 

Plant something quirky.

Decorative plant pots can be pricey, but how cute do these recycled bowls and mugs look with houseplants? If you have a beautiful bowl or colourful jug that’s suffered a hairline crack, instead of throwing it away – why not use it as a holder for a small succulent plant? Brighten up your kitchen shelf or dining room sideboard with a splash of colour for next to nothing!

 

Save water and energy.

It may seem surprising, but using your dishwasher instead of washing up by hand can actually save you both water and energy. Modern dishwashers have been designed with energy efficiency in mind and are very green to run. Switching on your dishwasher when it’s fully loaded, can save you around 3 times as much water as when you’re doing your dishes by hand.

 

Avoid going down the drain.

If you tend to let your shower run for a short while before hopping in, why not get in the habit of popping a bucket in there to gather up some of that water? You can then use it later on in your garden or for your houseplants – waste not, want not!

Like big butts?

Add some water butts to your outdoor space for a quick and easy way to collect rainwater and reduce the need to reach for your garden hose. Recycling water in as many ways as possible is a great way to help the environment – as well as your water bill!

 

Whatever changes you make, be proud of them.

Tell your friends and inspire others. Ask your children if they have any ideas for recycling and make it a family activity, find fun in recycling.

Small changes make a world of difference, let’s value our planet together.

 

Value Our Planet           |           Lifestyle Advice            |            About QD            |            Back to Home