Top Tips to help You Recycle More Around Your Home

There are many ways to improve recycling around your home and the good news is that they don’t have to cost anything and can even save you money! Follow these top tips and start reducing your landfill contribution today!

Recycle Outside
Plastic, glass, paper and card are all recyclable and Councils across the country provide the facility for all these as well as a number of other materials. Check with your Local Authority if you are unsure what collections are in place for your area and find out what can be recycled at your local tip. Remember there are charges for certain types of waste so check for those.

Recycle Inside
Put a large container or bag somewhere accessible into which you can sort your recyclable items and decant into your recycle bins when full. Rinse out any bottles and jars to prevent smells and bacteria accumulating. Get the kids to help sort the different items into categories and see if you can increase the amount you recycle each month.

Home Composting
Food bins are great for separating food waste from other rubbish, but how much of that could be turned into fabulous compost for your garden? There are many affordable composters available or you could construct your own. Egg shells, paper and even thin card can all go into the compost bin but make sure paper is shredded and that a good balance of ingredients is included in the mix. Fruit and vegetable peelings are ideal as they breakdown efficiently and add vital nutrients and minerals into the compost, creating a quality source of nutrition for your plants. It will save on garden centre costs, plus the bags in which compost is sold cannot usually be recycled.

Upcycle!
Think twice before throwing out old furniture and soft furnishings. A lick of paint can transform wooden furniture to match a new colour scheme, while cupboards, chairs and tables can be sanded down and repainted to create a trendy shabby-chic look. Re-upholstering pillows and cushions will create a whole new look for your home and instead of chucking out old curtains, use the material for cushion covers or even pet beds! Fairy lights inside jam jars make pretty garden lighting and old stone flower pots can be decorated to become attractive storage pots.
Many discarded items can be revamped or re-used, so think before you throw!