THE introduction of new recycling initiatives in Larne has highlighted the need for reducing the amount of waste that we all produce.

Larne Council’s Environmental Education Officer, Barry Tapster, this week explains the ideas behind the theme of "reduce, reuse, recycle".

"The first option ‘reduce’ is at the top of the lift because it is the best practise. By reducing the amount of waste that we produce we avoid the need to deal with it at all and there are many ideas to achieve this aim.

"You can also buy in bulk and avoid products that use wasteful packaging. Buying refillable bottles and tubs or having milk delivered to your door also cuts down on waste whilst a sign on your door requesting ‘no junk mail’ can minimise this annoying aspect of modern life.
"It is also a good idea to avoid disposable items like razors and lunch bags, a reusable lunch box is a much better idea.

LANDFILL

"Buying low energy light bulbs not only cuts down on the amount of waste going to landfill but saves money on your electricity bills," he added.

"The next best option is to reuse any items that we can and there is great scope for doing this. Your old clothes can be donated o charity shops, or if they are in very bad condition, can be cut up and used as rags, dusters or patches.

"Books, toys, household items, CDs, used furniture, even your unwanted plastic bags, are always welcome at charity shops and local church groups can often help out if you’re looking for a new home for your unwanted stuff. Buying rechargeable batteries for use with a charger also saves money whilst minimising household waste."

The next best option is recycling.

"High levels of energy are expended during the recycling process so it is not the best option for waste management but it is much preferable to land-filling which is the way that our waste was dealt with before," explained Mr. Tapster.

"Recycling used to be a difficult option as it was necessary to visit the civic amenity site, but with the blue bin scheme now in operation in the Larne borough for plastic bottles, cans, cardboard and paper, everyone can now participate.

GARDEN

"From the start of June, households will be able to recycle their garden waste in new brown bins which the council will be delivering over the coming weeks.

"For those wishing to recycle their used glass bottles and jars, bring centres with bottle banks are being installed in 20 locations within the Larne Borough Council area. Redlands Recycling Centre is also being expanded. Specialised waste collection facilities are avaialble there for such materials as oil, batteries, fluorescent tubes, metal and shredded paper.

"Moreover, two new recycling centres are coming to the borough in the near future.
"Buying products which are made from recycled materials is also a good way to encourage the availability of such items whilst conserving natural resources," he added.

Source: larnetimes.co.uk