How much garbage does your household produce in a week? How much of it could be recycled? There are a lot of items that are thrown into the general garbage, when they could find a home elsewhere, be recycled, or should be disposed of separately. Here is a list of items that you should never throw away.
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It's best to use rechargeable batteries, but if you do have the ordinary kind then never put them in the bin. They contain metals that will cause environmental damage if they get into the ground or water. So always take them to a disposal point (look out for them in stores).
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This does depend on local facilities, but if you have access to a recycling point, or materials are collected from your home, then make sure you put everything in that recycling bin! Plastics, paper, glass and cans can usually be recycled with ease (did you know that fleece jumpers can be made from recycled plastic bottles?).
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Any usable furniture should be passed on to neighbours, charities or anyone who wants it. Where I live, unwanted furniture can be put outside once a week, and the council will collect it. Before they arrive, anyone who wants it is free to take what they like. I have furnished half my flat that way!
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If you have a garden, then buy or build yourself a compost bin. Throw in your food scraps (check here for what can be recycled gardenorganic.org.uk and eventually you will have some lovely organic compost that hasn't cost you anything! Or use a kitchen bin if your council provides one for you and put it out for recycling.
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There are many uses for unwanted textiles. Clothing in good condition can be sold on eBay or donated to charity (women's refuges will be especially grateful for children's and women's clothes). Textiles can also be cut up for crafts or rags. Towels, sheets and blankets will be happily accepted by your local animal shelter.
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Do you have any out-of-date medication, or pills that you no longer need? Don't throw them away, but take them to your local drugstore, who will dispose of them safely.
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These should NEVER be disposed of in the home or regular garbage, as they could be dangerous to your health and the environment. Anything such as engine oil, paints and pesticides must be taken to an appropriate disposal centre; check with your local council where this is.
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Maybe this is a pertinent comment on modern art, but more than once installations of artworks have been mistaken by cleaning staff for garbage, and disposed of appropriately. Yes, I know, they should have been recycled!
Some people claim they don't have time to recycle. However we all create garbage, therefore we share the responsibility for ensuring that what we no longer want is disposed of properly. That includes minimising what goes into landfill!
Top Photo Credit: Kevin H.