Fluorescent - furniture

Fluorescent lights

Fluorescent bulbs contain toxic heavy metals and must be disposed of as hazardous waste.  Contact the local authority for advice. Phone 0141 287 9700 or email EPSCleansing@glasgow.gov.uk

Foil (see also aluminium)

• Try to use an alternative to foil for storing or wrapping food such as washable plastic containers.
• If you roast meat why not buy a roasting container with a lid? This reduces the need for foil, contains the meat juices and lasts a long time.
• Aluminium foil can be washed carefully and reused several times.
• Foil takeaway containers can be washed and reused as food or freezer containers, or recycled.
• When no longer suitable for reuse, foil can be recycled along with other aluminium (see aluminium)

Food

it's estimated that we throw away about a third of all food purchased. A small amount of this is unavoidable waste, like bones for example; but the majority is excess, which could have been eaten if we better planned and managed our food shopping and storage. Also remember that not only are we wasting a large amount of food we are also throwing money in the bin, in fact a third of our household food bill.

• Only buy the type of food and in an appropriate quantity for your household.
• Use up leftovers or freeze them for another time rather than throwing them away.
• Try to avoid pre-packaged fruit or vegetables as they are often sold in larger quantities than needed.
• Use smaller independent shops such as greengrocers, butchers, fishmongers, that sell loose goods where customers can choose their own quantity. Surprisingly smaller shops are often cheaper than supermarkets because they rely on customers returning and don’t run costly promotions advertising money off deals.  These shops also use less packaging. 
• Try not to order too much in a restaurant. If you have uneaten food at end of meal ask the restaurant to put it in a container for carrying home. Restaurants are usually pleased to do this as you have, after all, paid for the food and they see at first hand the amount of food wasted.

How to recycle

Food scraps and vegetable peelings can be composted (see page on composting) or fed to household pets.

Freecycle

Glasgow Freecycle is for all who want to recycle stuff rather than throw it away. The Freecycle Network™ is made up of many individual groups across the globe. It's a grassroots and entirely nonprofit movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free in their own towns. Sign up at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/glasgowfreecycle/

Freeshare

Glasgow Freeshare is for anyone in or around Glasgow to help find new homes for unwanted stuff. It has a membership of over 9000 local people. Charities also welcome. Sign up at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/glasgow-freeshare/

Furniture

• Old furniture be often be repaired or recovered / repolished to improve its appearance and useful life.

• Charity shops will take furniture and often have collection services.

Useful contacts

The Salvation Army. Tel: 0141 334 7253

Comments

[Peter Waterson]

I think the Salvation Army will collect unwanted furniture for re use.
The divisional headquarters phone no is 0141 779 5000 but there may be a different number for furniture