Waste and climate change

Reduce, reuse, recycle

The best way to approach waste management, for any type of waste both at home and at work, is to consider the three 'R's – reduce, reuse and recycle.

The most important ‘R’ is to reduce; if we can reduce the amount of waste we produce in the first place, we wouldn’t have to reuse or recycle as much. Reusing is also very important. Try to reuse something as many times as you can before throwing it away or recycling it.

Recycling waste saves the raw materials and energy which are needed to make new paper, metal, glass and other items. Saving energy and conserving resources helps tackle climate change.

Kirklees Council is trying to help its residents recycle more by increasing its collections of recycle bins.

Get a compost bin

Composting food waste reduces climate change effects. It means that fewer truck loads of waste are transported to landfill, so less greenhouse gasses are emitted. Adding compost to your soil provides the necessary nutrients for the growth of trees and plants, which in turn absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Kirklees Council offers subsidised compost bins to its residents.

Dispose of unwanted goods responsibly

Firstly, think if you could re-use something or give it away to a friend or to charity before throwing something away. You may not want it but there may be someone out there that does! Kirklees Council also offers a service to collect bulky items from your property.