Ways to help reduce waste

To assist you with reducing your waste the Waste Prevention Advisor (Volunteers) are encouraged to come up with ideas to help the community manage waste in a sustainable way. In this area you will find downloadables that will help you do your bit to prevent unnecessary waste.

How can I report over packaged products?

If you purchase a product and you think it is over packaged you can complain to your local Trading Standards Office. Companies that use excess packaging could be fined up to £5,000. Please note that there are two Trading Standards offices in West Sussex; one for those living south of the downs/the other for residents north of the downs.

Roger F, from Adur, a Waste Prevention Advisor (Volunteer) came up with the following downloadable postcard idea to make it easier for you to report overpackaged items. Please note there are four postcards per sheet and the following should be taken into consideration before downloading:

• the file should be printed in duplex i.e. same paper printed on both sides

• Paper card needs to be over 0.25 mm thick and no thicker than 5mm

• Minimum size of postcard is 90mm by 140mm

• Max for postcard is 120mm by 235mm

North of the downs
South of the downs

Alternatively you can email the Trading Standards Office directly. trading.standards@westsussex.gov.uk

Please include the following innformation in your email:

• Product name

• Manufacturer

• Place & Date of purchase

• Why you think the product is over packaged

Junk mail

Fed up of receiving junk mail? Peter W came up with the idea of the following downloadable label to put on your front door to reduce the amount of unsolicited mail you receive. You could reuse an old plastic cover to protect it from the rain. You could also join the Mailing Preference Service – this will stop personally addressed unsolicited mail.

Unfortunately this initiative will not stop other people (such as local leaflet drops) from putting things through your letter box – this is where the label on your letter box idea will help!

Remember

Use both sides of paper when printing and you can use greeting cards to make labels

Junk mail label

Biodegradable waste

Interested in a Green Cone or Green Johanna? Here are some downloadable guides or leaflets that you can read online. For you to learn more about the Food Waste Digesters.

Green Cone information
Green Johanna information
Comparison of Green Cone and Green Johanna

Recycling

Find out more about recycling plastics and paper by downloading these factsheets

Paper recycling
Plastics recycling

Green Club

Although the Green Club has it's own website you may like to read these previous Green Club newsletters for tips and ideas online.

Guidance on reducing food waste

Excellent new leaflet with lots of tips on how to reduce food waste