Rubbish is everything that you throw away or no longer have a use for. It can be anything from a sweet wrapper to a broken toy. All rubbish is made up of different materials and substances. What we throw in our bins is usually carted off and dumped in a big hole in the countryside called a landfill. These are a disaster for the local environment but we can help cut down this unnecessary waste. Know your 3 'R's, reduce, reuse and recycle!
Reduce
There are plenty of ways we can reduce the amount of rubbish we throw away.
1.
Try not to buy products that are heavily packaged as most of this will be going straight in the bin anyway.
2.
Buy food that is loose on the shelf, instead of packaged. Do you really need to buy those bananas in a pre-packed bag? Why not pick up a bunch straight off the shelf?
3.
Cut down on those plastic shopping bags and remember to take your 'bag for life' with you! 4. Ask your parents to return all the unwanted junk mail, asking to be taken off the mailing lists.
5. Try to use reusable plastic containers instead of disposable ones. Get yourself a cool sandwich box for your school lunches and stop using that wasted cling film and foil.
Reuse
Think about it, does that rubbish really need to go in the bin?
1.
Reuse all your scrap paper and envelopes where possible.
2.
Don't throw away those birthday and christmas cards, why not cut them up to make new ones or even tags for presents.
3.
Ask your parents to get themselves a proper mug for work instead of using the wasted plastic cups. Why not buy them one for a present, 'worlds greatest mum'!
4. Reuse those plastic drinks bottles, fill up with water when you are going to the park instead of buying a new one.
Recycle
Most of todays waste is so unnecessary when we can now recycle the majority of non-biodegradable products.
1.
Seperate all of your rubbish which can be recycled into a different bin. This can include your drinks cans and bottles, comics and your old clothes. Your council should have provided you with a special recycle bin for these products, if not, ring up and order one.
2. When shopping, look out for the special symbol on the packaging that tells you it can be recycled.
3. Lots of waste can be composted, check out 'in the garden'.
As well as reduce, reuse and recycle, get clever about what you are buying. Where possible buy products that have been made from recycled materials already. Also try to buy 'biodegradable'. Some products now come with biodegradable packaging which will break down naturally in the environment and eventually disappear.
For more information on recycling, including activities and games, check out recycle-more.
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