By practising the 3 R's (reduce - reuse - recycle) we can avoid wasting the world's resources. Resources that run out eventually are called "finite resources" e.g. there is a limit to the amount of oil from which we can make plastic, and aluminium ore to make drinks cans. By practising the 3 R's we can save finite resources for the future, and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in tips.
There are a number of ways to reduce, reuse and recycle waste in the home, and at work or school. Below are some ideas.
| Reduce | Reuse | Recycle |
|---|---|---|
| Try not to buy over- packed goods. | Reuse carrier bags (each person in the UK uses an average of 134 plastic bags each year). | If you have a Dundee City Council blue bin use it for all your waste paper. If you don't have a blue bin take your waste paper to a Dundee City Council Recycling Point or Centre for recycling. |
| Try to buy "loose" food rather than pre-packaged. | Reuse scrap paper for writing notes, etc. | Find out where your most convenient Recycling Point and/or Centre are and the materials that can be accepted there for recycling. |
| Look for long lasting (and energy efficient) appliances when buying new electrical items e.g. consider using low energy bulbs. | Buy rechargeable items instead of disposable ones, e.g. batteries and cameras. | Compost - if you have a brown bin use it for your garden waste. If you do not, you can take your garden waste to any one of Dundee City Council's Recycling Centres for composting. You may also wish to consider home composting. |
| Use your own shopping bags or boxes; consider using doorstop delivery instead of visiting the supermarket. | Take old clothes and books to charity shops, or even have a car boot sale. | Choose products in packaging which you know can be recycled. Try to buy products made from recycled materials. |
| Cancel delivery of unwanted newspapers (donate old magazines to waiting rooms). | Take a packed lunch to work or school in a reusable plastic container. | Try to buy products made from recycled materials. |
| Consider stopping junk mail and faxes through the Mailing Preference Service. | Use real nappies. See The Nappy Lady website | |
| Buy products in refillable containers e.g. washing powders. | ||
| Reuse envelopes - stick labels over the address. | ||
| Rent or borrow items you don't use very often - e.g. party decorations and crockery. |