10 ways to reduce waste in our Colchester Community
1. Have you heard of plogging? It was first coined to mean picking up litter as you run. You don’t have to run, of course – maybe you could pick up litter on your regular dog walk. It’s still plogging, your community will be grateful and you’ll get some time outside in the process. Join running Colchester – it’s free! Find them on Facebook here. Even if you’re not a runner, there are opportunities to get involved volunteering as well.
2. If you’d like your own litter picking equipment you can get it free by emailing Shrubend@colchester.gov.uk with your name and address and use the subject ‘Litter warriors’ and you’ll get a kit delivered.
3. Go to refill stores to get consumables and possibly save money too! Buying in bulk will save on packaging anyway, but if you take your own containers, you can help save the planet even further. Shops in Colchester: An Ethical Life, Colcheco, Home Kitchen, and probably more….
4. Plan your vegetable garden now. What can you grow instead of buy? We have lots of nurseries available to us to buy seeds from: FillPots, Poplar Nurseries, and other smaller ones too. You only need a small space to plant some runner beans for example.
5. Always have a reusable water bottle / insulated coffee mug. Ask coffee shops to use your own mug – some are already allowing this such as local Co-op stores.
6. Steel, aluminium, PET plastics, paper and glass are the most efficient to recycle in that order – opt for these options rather than any other plastics. Look for PET recyclable symbols.
7. Keep up the good work recycling household waste! Colchester was voted as one of the most recycling conscious towns in England! Amazing!! Contact your local councillors if you have any issues or feedback regarding recycling. Our Team.
8. Compost for your new vegetable patch. Did you know as much as 25% of the items in your rubbish could potentially be removed from the waste stream and composted in your back garden? Your fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells, coffee grounds, grass clippings and leaves can all be composted. Depending on the conditions, you may have compost in 3 to 12 months to use in your garden. You’ll save on fertilizers and if you grow your own vegetables, you’ll likely see improved yields.
9. Buy second hand and donate used goods. Facebook marketplace is a fabulous resource – not only do you not have to package things up like you do on ebay, but people come to you and collect the items. Facebook Marketplace is intended to be a local marketplace. This will save on trips to the tip for larger items too.
10. Store some shopping bags in your car to minimise buying more. If you find you have too many in your cupboard under the stairs, you can either take them back to any superstore, or you can give them to the Foodbank along with any other in-date consumables. Check with Foodbank for the items they require most.