Reduce reuse and recycle

Bales of crushed aluminum cans

We are consuming the world’s resources at an alarming rate and then throwing them into holes in the ground or burning them. Reduce, reuse and recycle is the way forwards for a sustainable Wales.

Eighty percent of our waste could be recycled; however in 2007 - 2008 Cardiff only recycled 40 per cent of its waste.

Cardiff Friends of the Earth wants Cardiff County Council to achieve zero-waste within 25 years.

How you can help

  1. Reduce waste

    Reducing the amount of waste we produce in the first place is the most important thing we can do. Manufacturers should design products to last longer.

  2. Reuse and repair

    Manufacturers should design products to be easy to repair. When we can no longer use the product we should be able to reuse its parts.

  3. Recycle

    Recycling means taking waste such as paper and cans and turning them into another usable product.

  4. Composting

    Composting is a brilliant way of saving money by turning garden and kitchen waste into a valuable soil conditioner. If you don't have a garden, put it into your recycling caddie, and leave it outside for collection on the same day as your waste collection.

European Union municipal waste recycled and composted 2007

Austria - 59

Belgium - 62

Bulgaria - 0

Cyprus - 13

Czech Republic - 3

Denmark - 41

Estonia - 36

Finland - 36

France - 30

Germany - 64

Greece - 16

Hungary - 14

Ireland - 36

Italy - 44

Latvia - 14

Lithuania - 3

Luxembourg - 28

Malta - 7

Netherlands - 60

Poland - 10

Portugal - 18

Romania - 1

Slovakia - 7

Slovenia - 34

Spain - 30

Sweden - 49

United Kingdom - 34

EU average - 39

Source: EuroStat

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