WASTE MINIMISATION

The amount of waste that we produce as a society continues to increase. In 2007, West Sussex households produced approximately 450,000 tonnes of rubbish. This is enough to fill The Royal Albert Hall approximately six times.

Some of the waste that goes to landfill will decompose over time and this process produces methane. This is a strong greenhouse gas, so reducing waste to landfill plays an important role in tackling climate change.

Reducing waste through reusing products also reduces the demand for goods and raw materials, as well as the energy that is used to produce and transport goods. Recycling waste reduces the demand for energy.

The best way to reduce waste is to not produce it in the first place:

  • cut down on unwanted mail by contacting the Mail Preference Service
  • donate unwanted furniture to Furni-Aid, a local charity which provides second hand furniture and household goods to people in the Horsham area on low incomes
  • repair broken goods rather than buying a replacement.

Try to reduce the amount of food that you throw away - if we halved the amount of food being wasted this would be the same as taking 1 in 5 cars off of the road (see the Love Food Hate Waste Campaign). To recycle your unwanted food waste, compost it at home. You can purchase subsidised composters and food waste digesters through a local scheme.

In the Horsham District the kerbside recycling service for households is due to be extended. This will increase the types of household waste that can be recycled. There is also a network of local community recycling sites.

The West Sussex Waste Prevention Advisers have been trained on all aspects of waste prevention and are based in local communities. They can make home visits, come to community events and make presentations.

A booklet called “For Better Tomorrows” is packed with information on all aspects of waste prevention and waste minimisation

 

Websites: