Actions to reduce waste this November

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European Week for Waste Reduction

The European Week for Waste Reduction (17th – 25th November) is an initiative which aims to raise awareness of  sustainable resource and waste management during a single week. The main objective is to raise awareness about waste reduction, product reuse and material recycling strategies. Other objectives include highlighting the work accomplished by EWWR participants and encouraging people to concentrate on four key action themes. These are listed below – for more information, and videos, on why these action themes are important, click the individual links.

1. Reduce – Strict avoidance and reduction at source

Reduce means using fewer resources to begin with. Waste reduction can be defined as the complete range of measures and actions taken up before a substance, material or product becomes waste.

2. Reuse – Preparing for reuse, and reuse

Reuse means recovering and reusing products, or parts of that product. Preparing for reuse refers to checking, cleaning or repairing products that could become waste. Reuse means using a product again for the same purpose instead of just throwing it away.

3. Recycle – Waste sorting and recycling

Recycling means any recovery operation taking place after collection, and by which waste materials are reprocessed into products, materials or substances whether for the original, or a different, purpose.

4. Let’s Clean Up Europe! – European Clean-Up Day

Every year, millions of tonnes of litter end up in oceans, beaches, forests and in other places in nature. The primary causes of this are poor waste management strategies, and a lack of awareness. The 2018 ‘Let’s Clean Up Europe’ campaign may be over, but you can still do you’re own clean ups -read all about last year’s campaign through the link above, and get ready for next year’s campaign!

The focus for thsi year’s European Week for Waste Reduction is hazardous waste. Hazardous waste poses a greater risk to our health and environment when compared to other types of waste. This makes it even more important to reduce our consumption of products with hazardous contents, as well as making sure that they are properly disposed of. In 2018, it is time to detox and lessen the use of such products in our bathrooms, kitchens, sheds and garages.

Get involved in European Week for Waste Reduction by trying to reduce, reuse and recycle next week!

Buy Nothing Day

Black Friday is about shopping – help reduce all of the issues this brings by ‘doing nothing’! Buy Nothing Day (23rd November) is about buying nothing. The rules of Buy Nothing Day are simple – avoid buying stuff for 24 hours. Anyone can take part, provided they don’t spend a penny.

Black Friday has become an over the top, hyped up event over the past few years with shoppers going to the extreme of trampling over other people just to get their hands on the latest bargain, which they probably don’t need, and will end up throwing it out in six months time. By participating in Buy Nothing Day, you are saving yourself money and also helping reducing future waste.

Really need to buy something on Buy Nothing Day? Small businesses don’t stand a chance against the large retailers and their price cutting, so if you really need to shop on Buy Nothing Day then make a stand and support your local independent shops and businesses.

If you are participating in Buy Nothing Day this year then share how you plan to participate on social media using #BuyNothingDay.