Many household items can be recycled which helps save energy and resources. It is much easier to make new products from an existing product - so before you bin things, stop to think if they may have another recycled life.

• Glass, metal, paper and cardboard, plastic, wood and even clothes, food and garden waste can all be recycled.
• Your local authority collects paper, glass, tins and other materials as part of its waste collection service, take advantage of this service. Otherwise find your nearest recycling centre.
• Place a recycling container next to your bin and remember to use it, soon recycling will be as simple as throwing rubbish away.
• It’s not just wine bottles that can be recycled bottle banks also take glass jars (like your marmalade jar, pickled onions jar, spice jars and mayonnaise) and clear glass is especially wantable.
• Change your shopping habits for life. Choose a bag for all your shopping instead of relying on plastic carrier bags. Buy cleaning products as re-fills where possilbe. Buy loose fruit and veg instead of pre-packed.
• 2. Wash food from empty cans and squash them first so they take up less room. The lids can be left in the can as long as they won’t fall out and they do not have serrated edges.
• Recycle all your old books, clothes, and unwanted bric a brac at charity shops and clothes banks.
• Some wrapping paper can be recycled - but only if it is plain white with simple printing. Be sure to remove all tape, ribbons, and bows, and fold it when you place in your recycling container.
• Don’t dump old furniture – look up details of furniture recyclers in your local phone book.
• Donate your left-over paint to www.communityrepaint.org.uk
• If you eat take away food that comes in plastic containers; wash them out and they can be used as tupperware for packed lunches or food storage.

Schools are a great place to start recycling and what better way to spread the benefits of recycling than by setting a good example.

For more information on recycling at school, visit rfgschools.com

• Always use both sides of the paper when writing, drawing or photocopying. Set up a collection tray in each classroom for paper that’s only been used on one side.
• Set projects to re-use glossy magazines, old cards and coloured paper, and old newspapers can always be used for papier mache models.
• Make sure all the children use a recycling bin at the end of each day to put all scraps of paper into. Your local authority recycling officer can give you advice and maybe even collection bins.
• Use e-mail or the school website to distribute all school news to parents.
• Make sure your school is buying paper, pencils and other products made from recycled materials. Find out more at www.recycledproducts.org.uk

The workplace is where we really must make every effort to improve our recycling. Here are a few suggestions to help you become more recycling friendly

• Every employee should have access to a recycling bin - either individually or one main bin for each part of the office. All scrap paper should be recycled rather than thrown into the rubbish bin.
• Where possible re-use envelopes for internal circulation and with a sticker over the address for external mail.
• When updating office equipment make use of computer and electronic recycling schemes. Contact your local council or visit www.icer.org.uk or www.rei.org.uk
• When buying printers, photocopiers and fax machines, choose ones with options for two-sided printing.
• If staff use a vending machine set up a recycling bin next to it for canned drinks. You can raise money from them by visiting www.alupro.org.uk or www.cashforcans.co.uk
• Compost food waste from lunches either in your workplace kitchen or through a local authority composting scheme. Visit www.organics-recycling.org.uk
• For more advice on how to start recycling at work in 4 easy steps visit the recycle now website

You can often make recycling easier for yourself if you remember a few helpful tips when going to the shops!

• Many big supermarkets have recycling facilites on site - make use of them when you go to do your weekly shop (not as a special trip)
• Take your own big shopping bag with you - and refuse to use lots of non biodegradable plastic carrier bags.
• Choose products where possible that come in recycled packaging.
• Avoid pre-packaged foods that are wrapped in lots of plastic and polystyrene packaging.
• Use and re-use use all plastic bags that come from the supermarket. They can be used as bin liners, to collect dog poo when out dog walking, or as alternative to bubble wrap.
• Pester your local shop manager to stock recycled items, persistent consumer demands will make a difference.
• Keep a cardboard box in the back of the car to use for all carrying jobs. To take newspapers to the recycling bin, or to hold the grocery shopping.