How You Can Help
Help Us Reduce
Surrey�s Waste By Reducing, Reusing and Recycling!
Other
Ways You Can Help Protect The Environment
If
you are interested in protecting the Environment then have a look at some of
these information and advice links.�
And
for Information on Green Events in your area � request a copy of our �Greening Guildford� calendar of events or take a look online.� Events include talks, demonstrations, walks, heritage events, fairs
and fetes, locally organised events�. Enter Here.
Reduce
| Top
Tips: |
|
|
|
Use
re-useable bags when you are shopping. Supermarkets often have these for
a small charge.� Or always take your
own bags with you when you go shopping. If you forget then only collect
a bag in the first shop you enter and refuse a bag at each shop after. |
|
|
Cut
down on junk mail by writing to The Mailing Preference Service, FREEPOST
22
London W1E 7EZ.� Ask them to remove
you from their mailing lists. |
|
|
Use
energy saving light bulbs. Although these are initially more expensive they
use less electricity and last a lot longer. |
|
|
Buy
products with less packaging |
Reuse
| Top
Tips: |
|
|
|
Take
your unwanted clothes and bric-a-brac to charity shops. For shops
in the Borough area please see the council�s recycling
directory or
your Yellow Pages. |
|
|
Reuse
envelopes by covering the address with a label (labels can be purchased
from WWF � call 01483 412348) |
|
|
Invent
new uses for old containers e.g jars make good pen or DIY containers, boxes
can be stored up and used for Christmas presents etc. |
|
|
If
you have a baby consider using reusable nappies. The following organisations
can provide a laundering service:
Cotton Bottoms 01798 875300
Eezy Peezy 01959 534207
Nifty Nappies 01420 549659
|
| |
Other
Useful contacts:
Womens Environmental Network
www.wen.org.uk
Real Nappy Association
www.realnappy.com
Little Naturals 01483 427344
|
Recycle
| Top
Tips: |
|
|
|
For
a comprehensive list of how and where to recycle your unwanted household
items, please refer to Guildford Borough Council�s recycling directory.
If your household did not receive one, please contact the recycling hotline
on 01483 445084. |
|
|
If
your household is part of a kerbside recycling scheme � use your Green box
to recycle. If not, use your nearest recycling centre. |
|
|
Why
not consider a composter for your garden � these are available through the
council at a subsidised price. Phone 0845 130 6090 |
|
|
A
green cone will enable you to recycle your food waste in your own garden
using the sun�s energy to aid decomposition. These are available from the
council. Please phone 01483 445084. |
Other
Useful websites
General
recycling tips:
www.doingyourbit.org.uk
Composting
tips:
www.hdra.org.uk
Buy
Recycled
Buy
items made from recycled materials whenever possible and �Close the loop�. For
more information on recycled products please visit www.recycledproducts.org.uk. The
following are also good places to buy recycled or environmentally sound goods:
WWF
UK ������������������ www.wwf.org.uk
Natural
Collection�������� www.naturalcollection.com
Purchasing
That Won�t Cost the Earth
| Before
You Buy! Ask yourself if you really need it. Do you have something else
you could reuse or recycle? Try making note pads from the blank side of
unwanted junk mail, reuse envelopes by sticking a label over the old address
and instead of buying room freshener make your own pot pourri from dried
fruit and herbs! |
 |
| |
|
| Remember
Recycled! Try to buy recycled items - especially recycled paper and
glass. Try www.naturalcollections.com,
www.recycledproducts.org.uk
www.re-markable.com for a good
selection! |
 |
| |
|
| The
Problem with Plastic! Avoid unnecessary plastic items - especially PVC
- plastic isn't biodegradable and can release hazardous chemicals when burnt.
PVC has also been linked to toxic carcinogenic chemicals. If you cannot
avoid plastic items then ensure you recycle them after use! |
 |
| |
|
| Excessive
Packaging! Many items are sold with excessive packaging - let your retailer
know how you feel about this by refusing to take excessive packaging with
you and by refusing to take plastic bags (reuse old ones or just ask for
one large bag at the beginning of a shopping trip and put all additional
items in this one bag). |
 |
| |
|
| A
Question of Sustainability! Products made from unsustainably harvested
natural resources are of great concern. When buying wood products, ensure
it is sustainably harvested by purchasing items carrying the FSC logo (try
B&Q www.diy.com ). Be cautious about toiletries
containing rosewood, sandlewood, musk & eaglewood essence oil ( they're
all from endangered species). |
 |
| |
|
| Fairtrade!
The Fairtrade Foundation exists to ensure a better deal for disadvantaged
third world producers (visit them at www.fairtrade.org.uk)..
By purchasing Fairtrade items (try www.oxfam.org.uk)
you are helping these producers set up sustainable businesses- helping local
environment and people! |
 |
| |
|
| Organics!
Purchasing organics will help protect your family from the chemical residues
found in various food products. Organic items are grown without petrochemical
fertilisers, pesticides or herbicides and are GM free. Most supermarkets
do an organic range for you to choose from. |
|
| |
|
| DIY
& Home Products! Some DIY products are very damaging to the environment
(and your health) so think carefully before you buy. Avoid solvent based
paints, varnishes and glues - water based are much better. When buying strong
cleaning agents, avoid chlorine bleach choose hydrogen peroxide or bleach
free products instead. |
|
| |
|
| Energy
Matters! Save
energy by buying energy saving lightbulbs, plugs and lamps, as well as energy
efficient white goods and electrical equipment (try www.diy.com
and www.naturalcollection.com).
Battery disposal can be damaging to the environment so please ensure you
buy rechargeables! |
|
| |
|
| In
your garden!
It is particularly important to avoid peat products - peat is an internationally
rare and declining habitat of high conservation importance, many species
depend upon it. There are plenty of peat free alternatives. Avoid using
weed killers and insect treatments that contain pesticides and toxic chemicals
(especially around children and pregnant women). |
|
Top
Tips for Sustainability At Home
| Try
some of the following simple tips and make your house a sustainable home! |
|
1
|
Save
energy (and bills) by switching all lights and appliances off when not in
use. Make sure you don�t leave appliances on standby as this still uses
energy. |
|
2 |
When
purchasing new electrical appliances, check they have a high energy efficiency
rating. Make sure you buy energy saving lightbulbs too! |
|
3
|
Make
your home more energy efficient by installing loft and wall cavity insulation,
insulating boilers and pipes. Let clothes dry naturally rather than using
tumble driers, use a low temperature on your washing machine and keep lids
on pans when cooking! |
|
4
|
Reduce
water consumption by taking showers and by using a Hippo Water Saver in
your cistern � available from Hippo on 01989 766667. |
|
5
|
Save
on waste paper by asking the Mailing Preference Service�
to remove you from mailing lists. They can be emailed on [email protected].
|
|
6
|
You
can also reduce paper wastage by printing double sided, making pads from
paper printed on one side, reusing your envelopes, sending e:cards and recycling
your paper through the Green Box scheme. |
|
7
|
Use
washable and reusable nappies instead of disposable ones. There are also
Nappy Laundry services available. Visit the Real Nappy Campaign for further
information www.realnappy.com |
|
8
|
Reuse
as much of your household waste as possible. If you cannot reuse it then
recycle it or give it local charities, jumble sales, schools�. |
|
9
|
Reduce
kitchen waste and protect your health by using glass containers to store
food, rather than disposable foil, plastic wrap and plastic containers. |
|
10
|
Try
to avoid cleaning products with harsh chemicals and bleaches. Look for plant
extracts instead. Try Ecover for a good range of products! |
Top
Tips for Sustainability In The Garden
| The
following are some tips that will ensure you are protecting the environment
as well as enhancing your garden. |
|
1
|
Rather
than using a hose, try using a watering can instead. The best time to water
plants is in the evening so that the water doesn�t evaporate straight away.�
|
|
2 |
Try
using a compost heap, Green Cone or a wormery to recycle your organic waste
such as food. The compost will be great for your garden |
|
3
|
Never
burn rubbish, arrange for it to be recycled, compost it or take it to a
tip near by. |
|
4
|
Avoid
the use of strong chemicals in the garden as they can be a threat to the
environment as well as human health. Seek organic and environmentally friendly
fertilisers and pesticides if at all possible. |
|
5
|
Never
buy peat or plants grown in peat. Peat is an internationally rare and declining
habitat of high conservation importance, many species depend upon it. There
are plenty of peat free alternatives available in shops. |
|
6
|
Plant
native flowers and plants in your garden and encourage wildlife to visit
by using nesting pockets, bird boxes, and by building a pond. |