Shrink the bin

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent="yes" overflow="visible"][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_size="" border_color="" border_style="solid" spacing="yes" background_image="" background_repeat="no-repeat" padding="" margin_top="0px" margin_bottom="0px" class="" id="" animation_type="" animation_speed="0.3" animation_direction="left" hide_on_mobile="no" center_content="no" min_height="none"]Landfill, landfill, landfill. I am sure generations to come will look back at us and wonder what on earth (excuse the pun) we thought we were doing filling up our countryside with a weird mixture of toxic waste and useful resources. The average household’s waste (and still many people’s rubbish bins) is made up of a range of things we throw away, most of which can be recycled and much of the remainder can be composted or re-used.9% Garden Waste (this can be composted)33% paper and cardboard (recycle)25% cans, plastic bottles and glass (recycle)9% kitchen waste (much of which can be composted)14% other - this includes textiles, CDs, books, building waste.Handy hints for shrinking your bin:- Use SUSTAINABLE resources - here’s a simple tip - get re-chargable batteries - cheaper and you dont need to throw away toxic spent batteries. Avoid goods with excessive packaging - what exactly are you paying for when you buy an Easter Egg - mostly packaging! And a third of all UK food is wasted - yup - paid for and then binned. This costs the average family £420 each and every year.  Wow!-  RECYCLE everything you can - paper, glass, plastic bottles, silver foil, cans- if you can, COMPOST - mould and worms are just the most amazing things by the way!- FREECYCLE: Ever heard of Freecycle? If not and you have things which you think someone else might value then try and find a local freecycle scheme where ordinary people post up unwanted items and others come and collect them. Anything from furniture to clothes to electronic equipment to CDs. I managed to find a very happy home for my Scalextric and a dining table and also received a lovely picture on my wall from Scotland! See www.freecycle.org and also see www.gumtree.com and  www.jumbleaid.com (which also raises money for for charities). -  RE-USE; Even if you can’t use something - can someone else? Charity shops will takes books, CDs, DVDs. Items like unwanted paint can be taken to community re-use schemes. Unwanted furniture and electrical goods in good condition can be given to charities who pass these on to other people. Online you can swap books (www.readitswapit.co.uk) and at www.musicmagpie.co.uk you migt even be able to sell old CDs, games and DVDs.  The rubbish bin should be the LAST RESORT! Save money and save the planet.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]