Six Tips to Reduce Waste and Save Money

Reducing waste is not only good for the planet, it can help you to save money too. Many of us know what we should do, but it’s not always easy if you’re busy or in a hurry. This article provides some helpful tips on how to reduce waste, live more sustainably and save money too.

  1. Reducing food waste and food packaging

Buying your fruit and vegetables from a local market instead of a supermarket can help to reduce waste in several ways: You can buy loose produce so you don’t have to buy more than you need. Goods are often placed in a paper bag or your own bag, rather than wrapped in plastic. You can also see what’s in season more easily, so fruit and veg is fresher, tastier and hasn’t travelled half way round the world to get to you. As well as reducing waste, you can save money – local fruit and vegetable market traders are often much cheaper sources than supermarkets or convenience shops.

In addition, freeze any food that you can’t eat while it’s still fresh, and get creative with leftovers. If you don’t have a recipe at home, then a quick internet search will usually provide a range of easy recipes for cooking a tasty meal with your leftovers.

  1. Compost your waste

If you enjoy gardening then you can save yourself some money by making your own compost, and reduce waste going to landfill at the same time. A compost bin, which can be placed out of the way is a great asset to any garden. A small compost bin doesn’t have to be a big investment, or you can make one yourself from an old pallet, for example. By composting fruit and vegetable waste and shredded paper, you can produce some excellent nourishment for your garden, while reducing your waste.

  1. Use reusable shopping bags, water bottles and coffee cups

Many of us have shopping bags, water bottles or coffee cups in the cupboard, but how often do you remember to take them with you?

A fold-up shopping bag will fit easily into a handbag or coat pocket, so put it back there when you’ve used it. Store shopping bags or reusable cups and bottles near where you keep your coats and shoes so that you see them before you go out. Alternatively, write ‘bags’ at the top of your shopping list to remind yourself to take them with you.

It’s important to stay hydrated, and if you remember to take a bottle of water with you, then you don’t need to buy expensive drinks in plastic bottles.

  1. Use charity shops

Buying ‘vintage’ items is the latest trend, and charity shops are ideal sources of interesting clothing and gifts. You can find some lovely unusual items at great prices and you’re helping out the charity. As well as buying from charity shops, donate to them too. Therefore you’re reducing your waste, and someone else, as well as the charity, will benefit from what you no longer need.

  1. Use your local recycling services

Many local councils now collect and recycle glass, paper, plastics, textiles and garden waste. In addition, you can take metal items, wood and batteries to your local recycling centre. You can return plastic flower pots to some garden centres, and electrical appliances to some electrical retailers for recycling.

  1. Discover Freecycle

Freecycle.org is an organisation dedicated to reducing waste by preventing items from going to landfill. You can register with your local group online and offer your unwanted goods to the local population – anything from tins of paint to crockery. You can also request items too – so if you want a pallet or a piece of carpet to cover a compost bin, you can put a request on Freecycle and someone may have one that you can collect for free.

By making small changes that are eco-friendly, you can help yourself and the planet. We hope you’ve found these tips to reduce waste helpful, so that you can live more sustainably in your park home.

This is a marketing article from Park Home Assist, multi award-winning providers of residential park home insurance.  If you would like to speak to an advisor regarding insurance for your park home, please contact our friendly team in our Northampton office on 01604 946 796.

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Published – 25/11/2022