Reduce - Rugby Net Zero
Reduce waste
The best way to deal with waste is to produce less waste to get rid of. Here are six tips on how you can reduce the amount of waste that you create.
Buy better products
If you're investing your hard-earned cash on a new appliance for your home, try to work out how long you want it to last - and whether you will get value for money from it. Manufacturer guarantees can help you work out how long the product can last - so when you're shopping around, see how long the manufacturer's free guarantee is.
e.g. loose fruit and vegetables, use reusable bags, e.g. Rugby Unwrapped
e.g. loose fruit and vegetables, use reusable bags, e.g. Rugby Unwrapped
Buy only what you need
Reduce food waste by planning what you will need and only buying what you know you will use.
Upgrade or repair
If your PC is running slow, or your washing machine is getting noisy, don't replace it - upgrade or repair. A bit of maintenance can get your appliance back to good as new - and you will save money too.
If you've been able to buy a better product (see above) you will be able to repair your goods without tools - or with simple, common tools. And if you're stuck trying to do it yourself, you can always take it along to the Rugby Repair Cafe.
If you've been able to buy a better product (see above) you will be able to repair your goods without tools - or with simple, common tools. And if you're stuck trying to do it yourself, you can always take it along to the Rugby Repair Cafe.
Hire instead of buying
Hire tools or borrow from friends or family for odd jobs, rather than buying your own.
Grow your own
If you have enough room for a plant pot you have enough space to grow your own. Use a window box, a border, or turn over part of your lawn.
Recharge
Use rechargeable batteries and a battery charger. This saves energy because the energy needed to manufacture a battery is on average 50 times greater than the energy it gives out. While the rechargeable cells have a higher initial cost, rechargeable batteries can be recharged many times.
Using rechargeable battery system can reduce toxic materials sent to landfills compared to using disposable batteries. For example, some rechargeable batteries claim a service life of 100-1000 times more than a regular battery. However, rechargeable batteries are not suitable for smoke alarms as they tend to run out suddenly, preventing the alarm from warning when battery power is low.
Have you got your own tip on reducing waste? Let us know.