3R's

Reuse

• Donate unwanted furniture and appliances to a furniture reuse scheme
• Get ideas from www.co-oproduct.org on reusing your household packaging and everyday waste materials to make desirable new objects
• Repair broken items rather than buy new ones
• Take old carrier bags to the shop with you to use again or use them as bin liners
• Scrap paper can be used both sides, for children's drawings, shopping lists
• Re-use containers like margarine tubs for storage of nails or colouring pencils
• Donate unwanted clothing and small household items to charity shops and jumble sales.
• Reuse items wherever possible. For example yoghurt pots are ideal for growing seedlings, swap magazines with friends, or give them to surgeries for waiting rooms.

Reduce

• Avoid giving presents with excess packaging.
• Have a go at making your own presents or cards
• Reduce unsolicited mail by registering with The Mailing Preference Service. tel: 0845 7034 599 or write to: The Mailing Preference Service, Freepost 29, LON20771, London, W1E 0ZT Unaddressed Mail - Opt out of Royal Mail deliveries of unaddressed mail that is delivered to every household. To opt out e-mail: optout@royalmail.com.
• Consider using doorstep delivery services for organic vegetables, milk and other fresh produce - goods often come in little or returnable packaging Buy solar-powered items such as pocket calculators and watches.
• Choose products that can use mains power rather than batteries Use rechargeable batteries when appropriate.
• Consider growing your own vegetables - many varieties can be grown in small gardens.

Recycle

• If you can, compost your garden waste and vegetable peelings or take your garden waste to a recycling centre
• Use local recycling facilities such as glass bottle banks, plastic bottle banks, can banks, shoe banks, textile banks etc
• Participate in any recycling service your district or borough council may offer from your home.

Reference:

http://www.co-oproduct.org/