Main heading

Can You Help Reduce Cheshire's Waste?
Here are eight ways to slim your bin and help to reduce Cheshire’s growing waste-line!

Real Nappies :: Composting :: Packaging :: Junk Mail
Re-use/Refill :: Buy to Last :: Support Local Groups :: Hire/Share :: Bag for Life

 
Use Real Nappies

• 36 million disposable nappies are disposed of every year in Cheshire
• modern reusable nappies not only cut down on the amount of waste in your bin but are also cheaper
• laundry services are available
• More information is available on our Real Nappy website 

Compost your garden and vegetable waste

• we can provide you with a home composter at a subsidised cost
• avoid using cooked food, cat or dog litter and persistent weeds
• make sure there is a good mix of green (moist) and brown (drier) materials
• adding layers of soil will speed up the process, but you should expect it to take at least 6 months
• finally, don’t let your compost dry out!

Choose products with as little packaging as possible

• buy unpackaged produce
• buy products with as little packaging as possible, for example concentrated food products
• buy in bulk where possible, this will save you money and cut down on packaging
• alternatively, only buy what you need, avoiding unnecessary purchases.

Stop junk mail

• you can stop junk mail and save space in your bin by contacting the Mailing Preference Service; the E-mail Preference Service, the Telephone Preference Service and the Fax Preference Service.

Choose re-usable bags and refillable containers or bottles

Use a Bag for Life - reuse bags.

• use one of Cheshire's reusable 'bags for life' when shopping and for carrying goods. These are available from all Cheshire County Council libraries at a cost of £2. 
• re-use plastic bags or boxes by taking them to the supermarket when you go shopping. Some supermarkets give cash-back on each plastic bag re-used.  
• use a shopping bag or buy an ‘everlasting bag’, available from most supermarkets

Choose refillable containers or bottles

• try to buy refills rather than repeatedly buying heavily packaged products such as plastic spray dispensers, or fabric softener bottles
• buy milk in returnable bottles from your milkman
• store food in re-sealable containers rather than in cling wrap or foil
• use lunchboxes, flasks or refillable bottles instead of wrappers and drinks cans

Buy to last!

• when buying goods such as light bulbs and batteries try to buy long-life or rechargeable ones - this will be cheaper in the long run
• switch off electric lights and appliances when they are not being used - this will help them to last longer and save you money
• avoid disposable goods such as razors
• have electrical items and furniture repaired rather than buying new ones

Support local charities, schools and community groups whilst minimising waste

• clothes, toys, books or other household items can all be re-used by local charity shops
• there are a number of local schemes to find homes for your unwanted furniture or electrical items - try your local furniture charity! 
• use free ads or car boot sales to sell your unwanted goods - someone else might be able to re-use them
• unwanted magazines will be appreciated at your local doctor’s or dentist’s surgery

Hire or Share

• equipment or tools for special or one-off jobs can be hired locally. Look in your telephone directory
• specialist gardening or DIY equipment can be shared with your friends or neighbours, or hired within a group
• the Cheshire Library Service provides you not just with a constantly changing supply of books and magazines, but also videos, DVD’s and CD’s

By doing ALL of these things, household rubbish - and the cost of dealing with it - could be cut by 50%!

Waste Homepage

Waste & Planning Service, Backford Hall, Chester CH1 6PX Map
General Enquiries Tel: 01244 603000 Fax: 01244 603746
waste@cheshire.gov.uk