14 Things you probably didn’t know you could recycle

Over recent years, as a society, we have become more aware of sustainability and as a result, our recycling rates have increased. People know the usual items that can be recycled such as plastic, paper, plastic bottles etc however, there is a range of surprising things you probably didn’t know you could recycle. Here, we discuss some of these lesser-known recycled products.

Inhalers 
Thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of inhalers are casually thrown away once they are finished with. Many pharmacies will in fact accept these and get them recycled. Check with your local pharmacy first to see if they will take them from you.

Bottle Corks
Recycled corks can be used for a range of items including flooring, sports equipment or insulation among others.

Crayons 
Crayons can easily be recycled and reused in the comfort of your own home. When you have small pieces of crayon left, melt them down into moulds to reincarnate them into brand new crayons. You can mix the colours up for a fun, multi-coloured crayon that the kids will love using.

Tights 
This is one you may not realise but tights can be recycled and repurposed into a range of other products.

VHS Tapes
If you have any of these relics lying around your home (probably hidden in a corner of the attic) you can actually recycle them. They can be dismantled and the pieces reused.

Batteries
Until recently batteries were an item that could not be recycled. However, ways have now be discovered to responsible recycle batteries due to the severe adverse impact they can have on the environment. There are many places that now accept batteries and will take them to be recycled such as supermarkets.

Glasses
If you need a new prescription you may not know what to do with your old pair of glasses. If you return them to your opticians, many have a program in place where they send them to developing countries that are in dire need of them. This can also apply to sunglasses.

Carpet 
When it comes to replacing an old carpet in your home, don’t automatically throw it away. There are some companies that accept carpet and take it away for recycling to reduce the amount that ends up in the landfill. 

CDs and DVDs
Don’t throw your CDs and DVDs away once you have no need for them or if they are damaged. They can be recycled and repurposed into a myriad of other items.

Mobile phones
Old mobile phones can quickly start to build up at the back of drawers when you get an upgrade. Many people keep their old mobiles because they don’t know what else they can do with them. However, they can be recycled. Check your local recycling centre to see if they accept them.

Toothbrushes
Toothbrushes are one of the most common household items but consider recycling them rather than merely throwing them away. The plastic handle and the bristles can both be reused in a variety of ways

Fluorescent Light Bulbs 
It may be surprising that fluorescent light bulbs can be recycled but it's true. Some stores such as IKEA actively collect these bulbs for recycling so bear that in mind when you replace your bulbs in the future.

Sports Shoes
Sports shoes are made of a range of materials from plastic, cotton, nylon, metal and more. All sports shoes can be recycled so once you have no more need for them

Christmas Lights
Christmas Lights often end up in landfill once they start to lose their sparkle and no longer work. Rather than chucking them away in the rubbish, check your local recycling centre or online as some companies will accept your non-working lights and have them processed so that as much of the lights as possible can be recycled.

Although these items are recyclable, they may not be able to just be placed in your regular household bins. Once you realise what can be recycled, check what the best way to recycle the item is as they vary from product to product.

Recycling is an important part that we can all play to help protect the environment. So, next time you have a clear out of your house or taking the rubbish out to the bin, ensure you take a moment to ensure you are not missing out a chance to recycle and reduce your household waste. 
 
To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal and recycling needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information. 

How to Tackle a Wardrobe Clear-out

Clearing out your wardrobe can be a daunting task, especially if you do not do it regularly. It is surprising how quickly rubbish can build up over the years. Here, we discuss how best to tackle a wardrobe clear-out, to make the task easier to finish, leaving you with a clutter-free wardrobe.  

Remove EVERYTHING 

Start by removing absolutely everything from your wardrobe. You may be shocked by how much stuff is crammed inside. You will not be able to successfully complete a clear out if you do not start with an empty wardrobe. Once everything has been taken out, give the inside of your wardrobe a quick clean. 

Make a recycling pile  

Start by separating the items you want to keep with those that you do not. Make sure you are brutal with this. If you have forgotten you owned it or haven't worn/used something for months, then it is probably a sign it is not worth keeping. Once you have a not wanted pile, organise this into what can be recycled and what can’t be. This is important as it will significantly reduce the amount of waste that will end up in a landfill. 

Send items to a clothing bank  

There are many clothing banks, especially at supermarkets. Donate what you think will be useful, ensuring you are not donating items that are of bad quality.  

Create a sell and swap pile  

From the remaining items, consider if there are any that you could potentially sell. A clear-out is an amazing opportunity to earn some extra money from the items you no longer want or need. Also, consider swapping items. Speak to your friends and organise a clothing swap party. This helps you get rid of your unwanted clothes and end up with something new that you will actually wear.  

Can you repair anything? 

You may stumble across items that are a bit worse for wear. Before you automatically go to chuck it away, ask yourself whether you can fix it? If the answer is no, can you use it for another function? This involves a bit of creative thinking but there any many ways to reuse unwanted items for a different purpose. 

Hire a skip  

Wardrobes do not just contain clothes. There is a myriad of waste and clutter that can end up being shoved into our wardrobes. Consider hiring a small skip when tackling your wardrobes. This is a great method of getting rid of all your rubbish in one go. The waste will be separated and recycled if possible, giving you peace of mind that you are reducing landfill waste as much as possible. It is also good if you do not have the time to separate the items into sell and donate piles. It also saves significant time on trips to the tip and recycling centres. 

Get organising  

Once you have gone through your “to throw” pile, you can get started on organising the stuff you are keeping. You should only have items that fit you well, that you wear regularly or recently and that you still like. There is no point keeping things for the sake of it. If you do not have a lot of wardrobe space, separate your clothes into Spring / Summer and Autumn / Winter. Place the out of season clothes at the back of the wardrobe or in vacuum-packed bags. This keeps the items you are not going to wear yet out of the way. Once the weather changes, swap them over. 

Keep on top of it  

Once you have done the clear-out it is important to keep on top of it. The first clear-out will always be the most time consuming and hard work. However, undertaking mini subsequent tidy ups will help ensure you do not need to repeat the process as much. 
 

It is important to tidy out your wardrobe on a regular basis. Not only is it a satisfying task once it is completed, but it also allows you to donate unwanted items, clear space and help keep the items left neat and improve their longevity. Here is a quick guide on how to achieve this and end up with a clean and tidy wardrobe.  
 

To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal and recycling needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information. 

Easy Ways to Recycle at Home

It can sometimes be overwhelming knowing what can and cannot be recycled, it can also be simple to make small changes that lead to a large decrease in household waste. Here, we share some easy ways to recycle at home. 

When gifting to others, avoid excess packaging and only use wrapping that can be recycled. There are also some inventive ways to wrap a present. For example, you can use a nice scarf to wrap it up as a beautiful, reusable alternative.

Reduce the amount of paper post you receive by going paperless. 

If you have a local milkman, why not try using them? Not only will you get fresh milk straight to your doorstep, but they will also remove the glass bottles for you and you know the materials are reusable so waste is kept a minimum. 

When buying electrical items for outdoors try and opt for solar options instead of battery ran.

Grow your own vegetables and fruit in your own garden. It doesn't matter if you only have a small garden or balcony as some fruit and plants can still grow well in containers or on windowsills. 

Compost when possible. Compost bins are a great place to store your garden waste, vegetable peelings, cardboard, shredded paper and more.

If you have unwanted paper, use it as shopping lists or notepads first until it is full. Alternatively, shred your paper and use the shredding for compost, or stuffing for hampers.  

Stop using cling film and buy reusable covers instead. They act the same as cling film but they are less fiddly to use and do not cause any waste. 

Before you throw anything away stop and think if you can donate it. Furniture can even be donated and sometimes collected from your house, making it an easy thing to do.

There are many everyday items that you can repurpose. For example, clean out old jam jars or candles to repurpose them as storing other items.

If you need to print anything, always double side print, whenever you can, to cut down on paper and ink used.

Pack your lunch in reusable containers rather than using film or tin foil.

When having a clear-out, consider hiring a skip as this can ensure as much as your waste is being recycled as possible.

In your weekly shop, use reusable bags to store your fruit and veg and opt for loose versions to cut down on packaging. 

When buying cleaning products and hand soap among other things, buy refills rather than new products as this is a great way to cut down on packaging. 

Little and often can make a huge impact. By all of us doing our little bit we can significantly recycle more and cut down on waste. These are just some of the ways we can reuse, recycle and reduce waste. 

To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal and recycling needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information. 

Tips for Garden Clear-Outs

Whether you are completely re-landscaping your garden, getting a patio extension or merely having a tidy, using a skip to remove your garden waste can be really helpful. Here, we share some of our top tips on how to approach a garden clear- out and how to make the most of your skip hire.

Decide which is the best size of the skip

Before starting your garden clear out, decide on what exactly needs to be done. This will give you an idea of what type of waste you will be producing but also how much. Once you know this, it will give you a better idea of which skip size is best. Smaller skips such as 4-yard, 6-yard or 8-yard are perfect for general garden clear-outs. By this, we mean cutting back hedges, clearing away weeds or digging up some turf for new flower beds etc. For more extension landscaping projects, you may want to consider hiring a 6-14 yard skip instead. Always go for a slightly larger skip than you predict you need, as you will be surprised how quickly the waste can build up.

Start composting

Although it requires a little bit of effort, composting can be really beneficial. Not only is compost great for your plants, but it will also reduce the amount of waste you are placing in your skip. It is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to use your garden waste.

Separate your waste

Unfortunately, not all garden waste is easily recyclable. Bearing this in mind, try and separate as much of your waste as possible. Although the contents of your skip will be sorted after it has been collected, it is always a good idea to have it separate from the outset. Recyclable green waste includes grass, weeds, leaves and small twigs. Other items such as large branches, garden furniture, bricks, soil, plant pots and more will fall under the category of general waste. Green waste tends to cost significantly less to dispose of then general mixed waste, so it makes sense to separate the waste where possible.

Specify what your skip hire requirements are

When booking your skip, state what type of waste you will be disposing of. This will allow you to be given the best skip for your needs. Before placing anything in a skip, ensure you check that it is allowed to go in it. Although the majority of garden waste is not a problem, certain items commonly found in sheds such as paint tins etc are classed as hazardous materials and will need to be disposed of separately.

Reduce the bulkiness of garden waste

To make the most of your skip hire, try to reduce the space your garden waste takes up in your skip by cutting up bulky items such as branches. Place leaves, weeds and grass cuttings in bags at the bottom of the skip. Then place heavier items, such as garden furniture on top as this will compress the garden waste and create more space. Having this approach will help you fit your waste into a smaller skip.

Get selling

Before hiring your skip, think about the different types of waste you are planning on getting rid of. Once your skip arrives, it can be tempting to just throw everything into it for convenience. However, you could be missing out on opportunities. Some items may be perfect for selling, allowing you to earn some extra money. Alternatively, some items will be perfect for upcycling. It just takes a bit of creativity and advance planning.

Have a plan of action

Before you start, ensure you have a plan of action. You need to know how much time your garden clearance will take. If you have no idea, then start by clearing a small section of your garden. Time how long this takes and then multiply it until you have a rough idea of how much the rest of the garden will take. It is important to be realistic about your working pace. It is unachievable to expect you to complete a large project quickly. You will need to ensure you factor in enough breaks.

If you have decided to hire a skip to remove your waste, ensure you know where the skip will be stored. Many people have theirs in their front garden, but if this is where your project is taking place, you will need to find an alternative location. If this is the street, then permits will also need to be obtained.

As you start to spend more time in the garden, inevitably you will need to undertake a clear-out. No matter whether it’s a small spruce up or a larger project, hiring a skip to remove your garden waste can be a real time-saver. Not only will it help get the job done more efficiently and quickly, but it will also save tedious and messy trips transporting your garden waste to the local recycling centre. We have shared just some of our top tips to help you get started on your garden projects.

Tips for removing rubbish from DIY projects

If you are undertaking a DIY project, there will inevitably be a lot of waste to dispose of. If you want to remove the hassle of getting this waste cleared, then hiring a skip is a great option. To help you tackle your DIY project, here are some top tips on how to ensure your DIY projects are done promptly, efficiently and with no lingering mess.

Consider what waste you will create

Before you start any project, always have in the back of your mind how you are going to get rid of the rubbish you create. The amount of waste a DIY project produces can vary significantly. If you are only redecorating one room, this will create substantially less waste than a complete kitchen refit. Knowing in advance roughly how much waste you will create can help you ensure you have the correct measures to remove this waste quickly.

Also, consider what type of waste you will create. DIY project waste can range from empty paint tins, old furniture to electrical items or even asbestos. When hiring a skip or heading to the tip, there are rules on what can and cannot be disposed on. Before starting your project, ensure you know the correct procedure on how to dispose of this waste.

Decide on the best waste disposal method

Once you know what waste the project will probably produce, decide on the best way to get rid of it. For the majority of materials, hiring a skip is usually the best method. This allows you to remove your waste in one go, knowing that it will be sorted at the other end, with anything that can be recycled separated and reused.

Of course, hiring a skip is not the only option. Many items can be disposed of at the local recycling centre. However, you will need to carefully factor in the potential mess the waste will cause in your car, how much fuel and time it will take to take several trips to the recycling centre and back and whether the items will fit in the car at all.

Decide on the skip size you need

Hiring a skip means that you don’t have to worry about trips to the recycling centre, or having the mess littering your property or garden. If you do leave your DIY rubbish in your garden for a long period of time, you can be putting yourself at risk of getting a fine for fly tipping, even if it is on your own land. This is something you should always consider before starting any major project.

As you know roughly how much waste your project will create, you can make an educated guess on what sized skip you will need. Always refer to a skip size guide before choosing to ensure that it will fit everything you need. Try and go slightly larger than you think as projects tend to create more waste than initially anticipated. On the other hand, don’t go for anything too big as it will be costly if you are not using the skip to its full potential.

Here is a rough guide on which skip sizes are suitable for which DIY projects

4 Yard Skip- Small domestic refurbishments, small garden clearances, small house clearances

6 Yard Skip- Domestic refurbishments, home clear-outs, office clear-outs

8 Yard Skip- Larger domestic projects, general construction, full office clear-outs, full home clear-outs, large garden clearances

12 Yard Skip- Larger DIY projects, Large renovations, Full office clear-outs, full house clear-outs

Decide on where the skip will be placed

Once you have decided on hiring a skip, you will need to plan where you are going to place it. Ideally, you would have it on your drive on in the front garden as this makes it quick to access and can help you speed up your projects. However, many do not have the space to place the skip on their land making the street the only option. This is fine, however, you just need to ensure the correct permits are obtained beforehand. Many skip- hire companies will help you with this.

Do you think the project will be done in a day? Then you may have another option. Wait and Load services allow you to have a skip temporarily to quickly load your rubbish and then it is immediately taken away from you. This is an ideal option for those who are doing smaller projects or do not have space for a skip to stay overnight. Choosing this option still saves you countless trips to the recycling centre whilst also avoiding any needs for permits.

What’s Next?

Renovating your home and undertaking DIY projects can be extremely rewarding. However, removing the waste created is never the fun part. These top tips are just some of the ways to ensure that your DIY projects remain stress-free. Knowing how to quickly get rid of the waste these projects create can really make a difference and help you progress more quickly as you do not have any rubbish in your way.

Top Tips For A House Spring Clean

Once Spring has sprung, it is the perfect time to attempt a big spring clean of your home. It can, however, be a daunting task to undertake. It is surprising how much clutter can accumulate over time. With many of the items being things we don’t’ realistically need or use in the home. Not sure where to start? Here, we share some top tips to help make spring cleaning a breeze.

Plan Your Time

Start by deciding when you are going to tackle the spring clean. If you don’t set aside a specific time, it will be a task that is constantly pushed back. If there are a lot of items to get rid of, start by hiring a skip, either for one day or longer. Once you have the skip booked, it will mean you must do the spring clean then and will give you focus. In addition to this, you should allocate a certain amount of time for each room. Don’t be too specific, you only need a rough guideline. Also, overestimate the time slightly as it can take a lot longer than you first anticipate, especially if you want to do a thorough job.

By planning your time effectively, you can make the massive task of a house clearance into a relatively stress-free and perhaps even enjoyable task. Although make sure you give yourself enough breaks.

Separate Your Stuff

Whilst you are making your way through the house, make yourself two main piles. Throw and Keep. By only have two piles, it makes the process simpler. If you have become a hoarder over the years, try to think about the last time you have used the item (and be honest with yourself!) If it has been more than a couple of years, then you more than likely do not need it.

Donate and Sell

Now you need to go through the throw pile and organise it. Decide how you are going to get rid of it. If you have items such as clothing that are still in good condition or have entertainment items such as books and games, then consider donating these to a local charity. Just ensure that what you are donating is in good enough condition to be of use to someone.

If you think someone else would definitely want some of your things, you could always try and sell it. There are many places online to sell you stuff with ease and it's a great way to earn money from items you weren’t even using. Finally, the majority of what is left over can be placed in a skip, which is also a great way of getting rid of bulkier items that you would struggle to fit in your car and take to the tip. Always check the list of items you are NOT allowed to place in a skip first. Once your skip has been taken away, your waste will be sorted to ensure what can be recycled, is.

Make the most of your skip

The joy of hiring a skip is that you have the peace of mind that you can place a mixture of items into the skip, and know that the waste will consequently be sorted and recycled where possible, which takes the guess work out for you.

A major drawback of undertaking a massive house-clean is having the space to place the items you no longer need. Keeping a skip on your driveway or outside your home on the street, gives you a convenient location to place your rubbish, allowing you to carry out the task in a much smoother and efficient manner. Seeing the rubbish build up can be an extremely rewarding feeling and help you feel like you are making good progress.

Team Up

If you are clearing out your home, your neighbours may be considering the same thing. It is worth asking them as you can then split the cost of the skip hire and get a larger size to accommodate everything you want to get rid of. Always hire a skip that is slightly bigger than what you think you need, just in case you end up with more rubbish that you first anticipated. You can then work together to move some of the bulkier items.

Make it a regular thing

Once you have sorted out your house, try not to let it get into the state it was before you started the Spring clean. By keeping the cleans regular, you can ensure you stay on top of it, and make the task easier each time.

To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.

Fast Fashion And What Can Be Done To Help Reduce Clothing Waste

The fashion industry emits more carbon than international flights and maritime shipping combined, which is a staggering thought. Although some steps are being taken within the industry to try and lower this impact, the UK’s fashion habit continues to grow. With cheap clothing continuing to be readily available, people are changing their wardrobes regularly, with some choosing quantity over quality in order to keep up with the latest fashion trends and changing fashion seasons. Here, we discuss what the impact of this Fast Fashion is and what we can do to help clothing waste.

With fast fashion still happening, thousands of items of clothing are ending up at the landfill every few minutes. In addition to this, the water consumed whilst creating these garments is exponential, with almost 2000 gallons of water being used to make a single pair of jeans.

Unfortunately, it is not just the manufacturing and distribution of clothes that takes its toll on the environment. Washing some types of clothes has been proven to send bits of plastic into the ocean. It is these microplastics that can have severe effects to ecosystems and wildlife.

Despite this environmental impact, the fast fashion industry has grown, there are many things we can change about the way we shop to help limit this adverse impact.

Buy quality not quantity

It is surprising how few items of clothing you need to create an amazing capsule wardrobe. By wearing your clothes for longer, the carbon footprint can be lowered significantly.

Buy clothes to last

When deciding what to buy, choose items that you think will last. If they are high enough quality, they could even get handed down to future generations.

Shop in charity stores

Charity shops are a great place to find some real gems. By not buying new, you are automatically reducing the carbon footprint and helping to avoid clothes ending up in landfill sites.

Swap and Share

Get together with friends and organise a clothing exchange. Organise a party where each person brings a few items of clothing that they no longer want. Trade them with each other so that everyone ends up with a new item to take home without having to spend a penny.

Donate

Before sending your clothes to the landfill try and donate them instead. Donating to charities is a great way to give back to the community and allows you to organize your wardrobes and free up some space at the same time.

Repurpose Items

If you are undertaking DIY or messy jobs at home, keep your old clothes for this purpose. They can be great for house cleaning, painting and decorating.

Get Creative

If you are getting bored with your clothes, there is lots of inspiration online to help you turn a piece of clothing into something completely different and inject a new life into the piece.

Buy Sustainably

Wherever possible, avoid unsustainable supply chains.

Freshen up your look

Create a whole new look by simply adding different accessories as opposed to buying completely new outfits.

Organise your wardrobe

By keeping your wardrobe tidy and having all your clothes on display will make it easier to pick outfits and means you are less likely to go and buy items that you already own something similar but you had forgotten you had.

Although fast fashion has the benefit of making shopping for clothes extremely affordable, it comes at an environmental cost. With the high use of carbon, water and other resources, it also leads to colossal amounts of waste at the landfill. However, by making small changes to the way we approach to fashion and shopping, we can make and difference and help reduce the amount of clothing waste we have.

To find out more about how we can help you with your waste disposal needs, please contact us on 0800 083 7807 or visit our website for further information.