In the house

Reduce

• Stop junk mail by registering with the Mailing Preference Service. This is a free service which enables consumers to have their individual names and addresses removed from unsolicited mailing lists. There is even a telephone preference service to allow you to opt out from receiving unsolicited sales and marketing calls.
• To stop unsolicited, unaddressed mail (addressed to occupier and householder etc) being delivered by the Royal Mail, you can email: mediacentre.customer.service@royalmail.co.uk
• You don`t need to buy expensive air fresheners; why not use home made pot pourri instead. Pungent cooking odours can be neutralised by placing half a peeled onion in a bowl of water
• Chemical cleaning products are expensive and heavily packaged. Vinegar and newspaper are great for cleaning windows and leave tiles and work surfaces sparkling.

Reuse

• Get rid of all your cling film and foil. Resealable boxes work just as well for storing food in the fridge and for packed lunches as well. Better still, old ice cream boxes or jam jars can do just as good a job.
• Use gift boxes for birthdays. They can be reused whereas wrapping paper is just thrown away.
• Donate items you`re finished with. Clothes to charity shops. Magazines to doctors` surgeries. There are plenty of options.
• Reusable batteries are much cheaper than disposables and mean less waste.
• If you`re having a party, add a touch of class and help the environment, Use real crockery and cutlery instead of disposables.
• When replacing furniture or white goods, old appliances and furniture that is still in a good state of repair can be donated to a furniture reuse centre.

Recycle

• Keep it simple - make a space next to your bin for your recyclables so it becomes no extra effort to recycle
• Make a visit to a recycling point part of your routine. Visit the where can I go section to find out the location of these points and plan it in.
• If your district council offers a kerbside recycling scheme, take advantage and use it.
• Remember that bottle banks also take glass jars.
• Invest in a composter and turn your garden and kitchen waste into nourishing plant food for your garden and household plants.