Most of us love shopping, bagging a bargain, following fashion and spoiling ourselves with the latest gadget. But how often do you stop and think about how or where the product was made, who made it, how it got to you, how long it will last, whether it can be reused or recycled?
We live in a wasteful society, consuming way more than we need in terms of food, clothing, electricity, appliances and household goods. The UK throws away 27 Million tonnes to landfill each year which is over 7Million more than any other European country. But there is no such place as “away!” These sites pollute local wildlife and water supplies and are also an eyesore – imagine living next door to one! Even food waste, as it rots, gives off methane which is a harmful greenhouse gas, more damaging to the climate than CO2.
People are thinking of new ways to recycle old goods and embrace a culture of re-use and resourcefulness instead of greed and excess. By recycling you can save money and even make money. You can create works of art or fashion from waste. You can create compost from food waste and use it in gardens or support developing communities abroad by collecting old mobile phones or glasses.
To solve this issue we need to be creative and to look at the world differently. Instead of seeing a pile of rubbish, we’ll see an opportunity. The future depends on people looking for imaginative solutions, recycling and re-using the resources we already have.
Otherinfo:
Taking action!
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Recycled fashion shows
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Art murals from waste materials
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Campaigning and lobbying for improved facilities
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Workshops for younger students – explaining the importance of recycling and re-using
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Gardens with plant beds made from recycled car tyres
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Promoting re-use of plastic bags and water bottles
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Designing more attractive recycling bins
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Persuading school and local companies to use recycled stationary
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