Recycling in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough

RECAP News

20/11/2009 - The European Week for Waste Reduction

European Week for Waste Reduction arrives in our region and is being launched by Barbara Follett, MP, and Cambridgeshire County Council’s brand new Recycling Buses.

The week is an occasion for everyone to rethink their rubbish and take action to reduce their waste.

So, what can you do? How about…

Looking for items with less packaging
Using your reusable cloth shopping bags every time you shop
Looking for reusable products and those that carry an eco-label
Buying in bulk
Choosing dematerialised gifts, like books vouchers or gym membership
Trying to repair your old items before disregarding them
Reusing old goods for something else or let them be reused by someone else – you can sell or donate many items you no longer need

You can use www.recap.co.uk/swap.aspx to find a new house for your old items, or see Cambridgeshire County advice about ways to exchange or donate your unwanted items.

Buying second hand items
Hiring things like books, DVDs or lawn mowers rather than buying them,
Making shopping lists and paying more attention to use-by dates on our food to make sure you only buy what you need and you eat it before it goes off
Getting into home composting
Using the mail preference service to reduce junk mail
You can even earn some cash disposing of your old CDs, DVDs and games for reuse to Music Magpie. For details see www.musicmagpie.co.uk.

Did you know?

You can help Flora and Fauna International to save gorillas by donating your old mobile phone, even if it is not working anymore! Contact Charlotte Whitwell on (01223) 579471 or charlotte.whitwell@fauna-flora.org to request a free supply of freepost mobile phone recycling bags.

Your efforts are not alone

Your individual efforts are being matched by many well known brands involved in Courtauld Commitment. They have developed new technologies to reduce the amount of rubbish generated in the production and consumption of their goods.

Some changes may be invisible to a consumer, but they make a big difference.

Coca cola has significantly reduced the amount of glass used in their bottles.

Coca Cola reduced weight of its bottles.

The Botanics Essential gift set packaging has been changed from a large rigid box with a vacuum wrapping and sleeve to a re-useable tin with a card sleeve, containing 80% recycled material.

boots botanic essentials