Let’s talk rubbish this New Year

Planning a big New Year clearout? Your recycling bin has a challenge for you…

Christmas is over. Sigh. And if your household is like many across Wyre, right now bins like me are feeling about as stuffed as your turkey was just a few days ago. But is there another way? As great as it is that you’re sending lots to recycling (I like to feel wanted), is there a way to avoid placing quite so much into the recycling in the first place?

Yes there is. And here are 4 small changes you can start making right now.

Think ‘bin’

Even if you’re not on a New Year diet, I’d love to be. So this year, keep one extra thought in your mind when you’re doing your shopping: how much waste will this create? Even fresh food, when it comes wrapped, packed or cartoned, creates waste that doesn’t exist when you buy it loose. Choose low and no-packaged products and cut the amount of rubbish you need to put in your bin – especially that pesky plastic film that cannot be recycled.

Choose (really) recyclable

Lots of things that you’d think are recyclable aren’t. And lots of products that say they’re recyclable aren’t easy to recycle. Tetra Paks are a perfect example, as are takeaway coffee cups and the tubs that Pringles come in. None of them are easy to recycle (although that is slowly changing), so choose alternatives that are.

And on the subject of coffee, take your own reusable mug into your favourite coffeehouse and not only will you avoid the need to use a (not very) sustainable takeaway cup. You might save some money too.

Clear it, don’t bin it

Time to wade into those cupboards for a clearout and, from old Xmas decorations and unwanted electronics to clothes you haven’t worn in years, it’s time to get rid. When you do, here’s another challenge to set yourself: how much of your clutter can you donate, gift or reuse?

This year, with so many people affected by the fallout from Covid, there’s a greater need than ever for clothes, toys and other items that may no longer be your cup of tea, but which could make a huge difference to someone else.

I know not everything can be reused but have a goal of creating no more than a single carrier bag of waste from your mammoth declutter and you’ll be doing much more than just keeping your bin happy.

Reuse the reusable

From your carrier bag to your coffee mug, we’ve all got lots more about the house that’s ‘reusable’. But it’s only really reusable if you reuse it. And what about all those things you might never think to reuse? Try these simple home hacks to reuse items such as:

• Plastic takeaway cartons – keep and use to freeze leftovers
• Tumble dryer sheets – reuse as dusters
• Glass jars – reuse as containers for dried foods (lentils, dried peas etc) or for jams, or put tea lights inside and light the garden with them
• Old towels and t-shirts – rip them up and use as dusters or upcycle into new clothes or rugs. You’ll find loads of tips for doing this online
• Broken crockery – keep to one side and use in your garden plant pots to aid drainage
• Old socks – Use the lone socks that the sock gnome left behind to keep small toys organised or to keep odds and ends like screws and paper clips in one convenient location. You could also put old socks over your shoes when doing something messy (like painting), or when your shoes are a wreck but you need to run inside for a minute.
• Line a drawer with old egg cartons and use each space to store those fiddly little items that usually get lost (screws, buttons, paperclips, drawing pins etc)

Let’s not talk New Year resolutions. Let’s talk small changes that stick for good. So this year, whether you’re the most fervent recycler or you’ve never really given it much thought, make a few small changes that can make one big difference.

And give your bin a break.