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Recycle

Wise up to waste and start recycling!

Article by : SpunOut.ie

What is recycling?

Recycling means using things again. So, if you recycle paper, it can be used to make new paper instead of cutting down more trees for the new stuff. Recycling can also mean giving things you don’t use to someone else (charity shops, car boot sales, friends and so on) or finding a new use for something (a nice wine bottle can make a great candle holder). Over half the stuff we use could be recycled or reused.

How do I recycle?

  • Call your local authority and ask what can be recycled in your area and where to go.

     
  • Separate your rubbish into what can be recycled and what can’t. There are recycling banks in most towns now.

     
  • You can recycle newspapers, magazines and cardboard packaging. Crumpled up newspaper sheets are also brilliant for your compost heap.

     
  • Wash all food and drink containers, then crush them flat for recycling.

     
  • You can’t recycle drink cartons yet.

     
  • You can recycle aluminium cans (drinks) and metal cans (food containers).

     
  • You can recycle glass bottles and jars.

     
  • You can recycle plastic bottles from juices, milk, water, washing up liquid, shampoo, cooking oil, detergents, fabric softeners and household cleaning fluids.

     
  • It’s easy to recycle organic rubbish too (left-over food, vegetable peelings and cardboard). You can start a compost heap in the garden. Contact Sustainable Ireland to learn how.

     
  • You can’t recycle plastic from chemicals, engine oil, drinking cups, yoghurt pots, ice-cream pots, margarine tubs or food trays. However, you can use them for storing stuff, as flowerpots, pen holders…get creative!

     
  • Keep separate recycling bins at home for glass, cans and paper. Label them so that everyone knows the difference.

     
  • When you’re shopping, try to buy stuff made from recycled material.

     
  • If there’s something you don’t want at home (clothes, books, furniture and so on), then give it to a charity shop instead of throwing it out.

     
  • Have some cop on: if you bring something to a recycling bank, don’t leave the empty bag or box lying there.

Did you know?

  • Recycling just 1 aluminium can (like a coke can) saves enough energy to light a bulb for 20 hours.

     
  • Every tonne of paper used for recycling saves 17 trees and 7000 gallons of water.

     
  • Making recycled paper means 28-70% less energy is used.
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