Reducing waste, re-using and repairing

Recycling can help save materials and energy, but cutting down on waste in the first place is even better. Taking your own bag when you go shopping can help. You can also repair broken items and find a good home for anything you don't want anymore.

Reducing waste

Nearly a fifth of household waste is packaging from retail purchases. Shopping carefully can help cut down on this waste. You could think about:

taking your own bag when you go shopping to help reduce the 10 billion plastic bags that are handed out by supermarkets each year
registering with the Mailing Preference Service to avoid unwanted junk mail being sent to your home
trying not to waste food; the average UK household spends £424 a year on food which is thrown away
avoiding products with unnecessary packaging
choosing reusable products

Repair

Some household items, including computers, electrical equipment and furniture can be repaired. Search online or in your local phone book for repair services in your area.

Re-use

Many items can be re-used, including mobile phones, computers, printer cartridges, leftover paint and clothes. Even if you have finished with something, someone else will often be able to use it. National charity organisations, local charity shops, internet auction sites and free exchange schemes may be able to re-use your unwanted items.

Give away unwanted items through Freecycle

Computers

There are a large number of organisations throughout Northern Ireland that will accept unwanted computer equipment and repair or recycle it. Many of them are charities that provide benefits to the local community.

Furniture

Unwanted or broken furniture can be reused, mended or recycled. The Furniture Re-use Network can put you in touch with local schemes that pass on furniture and appliances to low income families. Vintage and second-hand shops are often a popular choice if you are looking for new furniture or want to get rid of old furniture in good condition.

Furniture Re-use Network

Paint

Try not to buy more paint than you need. More than 300 million litres of paint are bought each year and a significant amount never gets used. Leftover paint can be donated to a national network of paint reuse organisations, or disposed of safely through your local council.

Books, DVDs, CDs

Second hand books, CDs and DVDs can be bought and sold online, or taken to your local charity shop.

RecycleNow - What to do with unwanted books

The wider issue

Making new products uses energy and raw materials. As a general rule, reusing or repairing things rather than buying new will:

help to keep valuable materials out of landfill sites
use less energy than making new products, helping to tackle climate change

There are some exceptions – old appliances like boilers and fridge-freezers use much more energy than new ones. If you need more advice contact the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre Northern Ireland on 0800 512012, or visit their website.