Unbelievably, filling in a big hole with rubbish is still the ‘cheapest’ way of disposing of our waste, despite the environmental problems. The economics of waste disposal do not yet take environmental costs into account. In the European Union a massive 60% of all waste is disposed in this way. Waste also has effects on our climate - methane (CH4) emissions from bio degradable waste, contributes to climate change and local hazards such as fire risk. (When paper, food waste and garden waste decomposes without the presence of oxygen, as is the case in al and fill site, methane is given off. This is 21 times more powerful as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide).

Recycled is often considerably cheaper than non-recycled, so it’s cost-effective as well as conservation-minded. For instance, recycled paper can be as much as a third cheaper than non-recycled paper.

DID YOU KNOW?

This may sound simple, but it takes less energy to manufacture a recycled product than a brand new one. So if you and every other consumer buy recycled, you'llhelp create a market, and conserve energy along the way.

Check Logos: Before you buy, check to see if the product or its packaging can be recycled. The recyclable logo (three arrows forming a triangle) is fairly common now.

Reusable: It’s best to use containers that can be reused. Next best option is to use a glass container and recycle it. There is a large network established for the recycling of glass, while plastic recycling is limited.

Reduce the amount you accumulate in the first place. Use consumer choice to refuse heavily packaged products and the plastic bag they are put in.

Save paper: At the Office try to reduce the amount of paper you use, recycle the reverse side of printed documents to print unofficial documents and use recycled paper.

At home think about how much waste your home produces – refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle.