In the Home

  • Reuse glass jars to store nails, buttons and other small items
  • Use baking soda to clean sinks, toilets and showers without harsh chemicals
  • Reuse plastic carrier bags as bin liners or return them to your local supermarket store to be recycled
  • Look for products with no packaging or packaging which is recyclable
  • Use ceramic mugs and tablewear, cloth napkins, towels and cutlery instead of paper or plastic ones
  • Use resealable, reusable containers for lunches and storing food
  • When spring cleaning give unwanted items to charities or go to a local car boot sale - you could make a small fortune!
  • Buy goods that are made from recycled material
  • Instead of throwing them away, give unwanted toys to play groups or children's scrap stores for re-use

In the Office

  • Make scrap note pads from blank sides of used paper
  • Use reusable envelopes for internal office mail
  • Bring lunch in reusable containers
  • When circulating memos use email
  • Make two-sided copies to reduce paper
  • Share newspapers and magazines
  • Recycle waste office paper
  • Buy products that are made from recycled material
  • Recycle and use recycled toner cartridges
  • Use china mugs instead of disposable cups

Holiday Tips

  • Use wrapping paper and cards at Christmas that are made out of recycled paper
  • Reuse wrapping paper, tissue paper and bows
  • On picnics use ceramic plates etc instead of disposable ones and cloth napkins and table cloths
  • Buy an artificial Christmas tree which can be used for many years, or if buying a live Christmas tree, plant it in your garden afterwards. Alternatively you can recycle your real Christmas tree at one of Dacorum Borough Council Christmas Tree recycling schemes

In the Garden

  • Place barrels under drainpipes to collect rain water
  • Use the bases of lemonade bottles, small aluminium cans or paper egg cartons for seedlings
  • Use old tyres cut in half as flower planters
  • Cut drinks bottles in half to use as planters or bird feeders
  • Have a home composter and use your own garden and kitchen waste to make compost