Spring into reuse with the Greenes
Leicestershire's 'greenest' family is urging anyone de-cluttering their home this spring to mend, swap and donate unwanted items. As well as daffodils, lambs and Easter eggs, spring is also a good time for a clear out and the fictional Greenes have compiled some handy top tips. The eight characters are spearheading a Leicestershire Waste Partnershp campaign designed to cut waste and have been created to illustrate how reuse can form a big part of daily family life. It’s estimated that £5.6 billion pounds worth of good quality usable household items are thrown away in the UK every year.
The advice - available at www.lesswaste.org.uk - includes:
many items such as an old bike with a puncture or a broken lawn mower can be repaired which often costs less than buying a new one
- many items such as an old bike with a puncture or a broken lawn mower can be repaired which often costs less than buying a new one
- clutter can be a great way to make extra cash so try selling through a local newspaper, selling pre-owned dvds or games or selling things at a car boot sale
- donate clothes and household items to charity
- swap unwanted items through the 'freeuse' website
- unwanted furniture, and electrical items can be donated to local furniture reuse projects
Cllr Michael Rook, Chairman of the Leicestershire Waste Partnership, said: "Leicestershire is already the top county partnership for recycling but by mending, selling and donating items people can give them a new lease of life and avoid generating waste altogether." Cllr Tony Kershaw, Vice Chairman of the Leicestershire Waste Partnership, said: "Reusing items could involve swapping a book, selling unwanted items through second-hand websites and car boots, donating to charity and reusing household objects such as jam jars, take-away containers and fabric. As well as helping to cut waste, these simple steps save money too."
For more information or to download a free reuse directory, please visit www.lesswaste.org.uk or call 0116 305 7005.