This is the tenth in a series of articles from the Eco Church Team at St Columba’s, which are also published in our church magazine.

This month, as Christmas preparations get underway, in our community, in the church, and at home, here is a timely reminder of where recycling fits into the wider issue of ‘waste management/saving the planet’.

Have a look at the five ideas below and ask yourself what can easily be done in addition to basic separating waste for recycling……………

• REFUSE: Say no to single-use items like straws, cutlery and plastic bags for packaging of food.
• REDUCE: Always buy items with minimal packaging, eg, fresh food and vegetables.
• RE-USE: eg, good condition clothing that will sell at charity sales.  Use both sides of printer paper, eg, for casual notes, shopping lists, etc.
• RE-PURPOSE: Find new use for original items, eg, glass jars for storage of food or jam making.
• RECYCLING/DISPOSAL: Segregate waste as below:
  • Recycle for home collection, or soft plastic through supermarkets, etc….  See symbols on packaging.
  • Organic: Start home compost scheme for food waste like potato peelings, egg shells and garden waste.  Use to enrich soil next season.  Or use Council scheme for grass cuttings, autumn leaves, etc.
  • Last resort: Landfill or incinerator via Council.

Don’t forget: Handle hazardous waste thoughtfully.  Most councils have a regular programme or you may find bins for used batteries in some retail shops, even including electrical items, which can be harvested for precious metals, etc, commercially.

Best mindful approach at household and community level is:

Ensure everyone understands the above principles and can apply them correctly.

Take time to check periodically that all reasonable steps are being taken to save the planet.

The possible can be done at once; the impossible may take a little longer!