Actions
Explore all the waste actions organised by how they help you REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE
Overview
Manufacturers waste around 93% of the raw materials procured for the production process!
We are a profligate society in our use of raw materials both in product manufacturing processes and in the packaging that we use to transport and display products at their point of sale.
Our manufacturers waste, on average, over 90% of the raw materials used to produce our goods. Many of the products we purchase are discarded after a single use and many are no longer designed to be repaired or upgraded but thrown away at the end of their life. Built-in obsolescent drives us to replace products according to manufacturers' advertising and marketing campaigns.
If we want to make a difference, we need to cut out waste at source and do so by looking at products and services that are created in a more sustainable manner. Ecological and carbon labelling schemes are slowly finding their way into high street shops and being informed about the items we buy is a first necessary step if we want to influence the manufacturers and distributors that feed our shopping habits.
The consumer's association and other environmental campaign groups also offer green tips and information on greener shopping practices.
Considerations
- Nature of material
- Can it be reused or recycled?
- Longevity of material - one shot use or reusable?
- Are there any substitute materials that are less wasteful in use?
- 93% of production materials do not end up in saleable products - Envirowise
- 80% of products are discarded after a single use.
- 99% of materials used are discarded in the first six weeks.
- Try and achieve more with less.
- Does a material have to be pristine?
- Using blemished materials can reduce waste.
- Disposal only when options for Recycling, Reduction and Reuse have been exhausted.
- Recycling can be energy intensive. It takes energy to transport and process waste.
- Avoid unnecessary and excess packaging of goods.
- Minimise the generation of waste wherever possible
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