Not producing waste in the first place benefits the environment even more than recycling! Making recycled products still requires energy but produced less pollution than using primary raw materials.

Top tips for reducing the amount of waste you produce

• Pledge to  Love Food Hate Waste!We are asking residents to make pledges to waste less food: proving how easy it is to eat well, waste less and help the environment. In return for your pledge we are offering you the chance to win some great prizes, see our upcoming events for more information about how to pledge and what you can win.
• Buy goods with minimum packaging such as loose vegetables rather than pre-packed. Buy in bulk to help save packaging, when it makes sense
• Try to buy refillable packs and concentrated products where you can
• Reuse carrier bags - take your own shopping bags to the supermarket or get a bag for life to use again and again. See reusable shopping bags.
• Stop junk mail - you can stop junk mail coming through your door by registering on the junk buster website
• Nappies - consider using 'real nappies', rather than disposable ones. The UK disposes of about 800,000 tonnes of nappies every year, costing local authorities £40 million. Real nappies now use Velcro fastenings - no pins required, and many areas have a nappy laundering service.
• Recycle Yellow Pages - don't throw your old Yellow Pages away. You can now recycle them with your kerbside recycling
• Spectacles - donate your old glasses to people with poor eyesight in the Third World. Ring Vision Aid Overseas on tel: 01293 535016
• Batteries - reduce the number of batteries you throw away by using the mains electricity supply where you can or using rechargeable batteries - rechargeable batteries may last 500 times longer than normal batteries!
• Avoid using disposable items such as tissues, paper and plastic plates and cutlery, dishcloths, cameras and serviettes. Glasses and plates for parties can be hired.
• Toys and games - reduce the amount of toys and games that you throw away by donating any good quality items to York's Toy Bus scheme.  The Toy Bus scheme is a great way of giving children of all ages the chance to play with a wide variety of toys and games.  For more information about how to donate to the scheme you can contact the team on 01904 551250
• Avoid using cling film and aluminium foil to store food. Put it in reusable boxes with lids or reuse margarine and other containers.
• Don't throw goods away before the end of their useful life. Why not pass things onto friends or give them away free on a group like Free cycle
• Donate unwanted items to community groups or charity shops.