Reduce, reuse, recycle – towards zero waste
Thursday, August 7 2008
Recycling rates are on the up thanks to the sterling efforts of Borders householders.
Bottles, cans, paper and a host of other materials can be recycled. Now it’s time to turn the focus on how waste can be reduced
by reusing items such as clothes, books and garden cuttings.
To get this message across, Scottish Borders Council is launching a new publicity campaign:
- refuse collection vehicles are sporting a new message – ‘Reuse your waste: donate clothes and books to charities’
- composting is encouraged with a message on buses – ‘reduce your waste: compost garden cuttings’
- adverts on Radio Borders will promote a range of waste minimisation messages.
One million tonnes of clothes end up in landfill every year. Yet 50 per cent of textiles that are thrown away could be reused.
Although some textiles can be recycled, it is more environmentally friendly to reuse clothing where possible.
Good quality textiles can be sold by charity shops and the rest can be sorted for recycling - so only materials that cannot be reused or recycled should end up going to landfill.
As every member of the public pays for landfill in their council tax, this saves money as well as helping the environment.
In 2006, 5995 tonnes of garden waste were composted in the Scottish Borders. All householders have the choice of composting at home. Those in urban areas also have a kerbside garden waste collection service from April to October every year.
Composting saves energy and reduces the risk of climate change. It reduces the need for landfill and conserves the earth’s natural resources.
Executive Member for Environmental Services, Councillor Len Wyse, said: “Let’s not forget to reduce and reuse. Recycling is much better for the environment than landfill, but reducing and reusing are even better”.
More information can be found on the council website; www.scotborders.gov.uk/recycling or from Ask Organic, which has a composting demonstration area at the Woodside Walled Garden and can be contacted on 01450 860778.
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