Waste Aware Scotland
Waste Aware Scotland has a host of information and resources on reducing, reusing and recycling throughout Scotland.
Water
Although we are fortunate in having an abundant rainfall in the West of Scotland, we shouldn't waste water. Supplying portable water uses raw materials and energy in filtration and infrastructure maintenance. It's easy to be less wasteful.
In the bathroom
- Shower instead of bathing, and turn off the tap while brushing teeth.
- Install dual-flush in lavatory cistern or put in a brick or full bottle, to reduce water used in flushing.
You can also
- Re-fill water bottles from the tap, rather than buying bottled water.
- Install a Water at Work system, which uses recycled cups.
- Always use a bowl to wash dishes instead of under running water
- Water your garden with used water (most plants don’t mind some detergent).
- Collect rainwater.
- Use the economy button on your washing machine.
White Goods
- Buy the most energy efficient items possible (A rating being the best). Download the Energy Efficiency Ratings information leaflet on the DEFRA website.
- Some charity shops will collect electrical items, such as fridges and washing machines, for repair and re-sell.
Useful contacts
Emmaus. Tel 0141 353 4191
British Heart Foundation Furniture and Electrical. Tel 0141 334 9046
Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice. Tel 0141 357 2863.
DON'T DUMP. Contact Glasgow City Council for bulky uplift. Tel: 0141 287 9700
Did you know? White goods come under the new Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC and 2003/108/EC, and must be disposed of with care. The WEEE Directive came into force in January 2007 and aims to both reduce the amount of WEEE being produced and encourage everyone to reuse, recycle and recover it. Find out more about WEEE regulations and where to recycle your WEEE items locally on the Waste Aware Scotland website.
Wood
- Several charities take timber and wood furniture for repair, and for making new products.
- Buy timber products that are clearly marked with the FSC (Forest Stewardshiop Council) logo.
- Old doors, shutters, railings might be valuable. Contact Caledonian Architectural Salvage Emporium (Tel 0141 334 1440).
- Tracey Timber Recycling (Tel 01505 333515) accept pallets and crates, and sell recycled products such as MDF.
Useful contacts
Boomerang, which makes furniture from recycled timber. Tel 0141 945 6252
Ruchill Furniture Project. Tel 0141 945 2746
Emmaus Community Shop. Tel 0141 353 3903
The Glasgow Wood Recycling Project, which will collect from homes and businesses across the Glasgow area to reuse and recycle into affordable reclaimed wood products. (Charges apply). Tel 0141 944 6541
DON'T DUMP unwanted timber. Take to a civic amenity site or contact the council.
Wool
Charity shops such as Oxfam take wool and other knitting equipment.
WRAP (Scotland)
WRAP helps people, businesses and local authorities to reduce waste and recycle more, making better use of resources and helping to tackle climate change.
Comments