Rinse that recycling

Most empty packaging from our kitchens (or households in general) can be recycled.

In order for recyclables to be processed, they should be clean and placed in the correct recycling bin.

Removing waste food and rinsing used packaging, gives it the best chance of being recycled – dirty packaging could be rejected and end up in landfill.

Materials suitable for kerbside collection can vary between Councils throughout the UK. Generally the following are widely accepted:

Glass bottles, foil trays, clear plastic food containers and drinks bottles (made from PET, rPET, HDPE), paper and card.

Re-use

Many food containers are fit for more than one use. Polypropylene (PP) food containers such as Celebrations versa2go containers or clear rectangular PP food containers, are perfect for freezing and storing left over foods. PP plastic is strong and durable, it’s normally safe to use in microwaves and freezers to.

Always check that food containers are damage free, fit for purpose (i.e. do they have the freezer safe / microwavable symbols?) and thoroughly clean before reuse.

Save time cooking

& prevent food waste

On a similar note, whether food containers are reused or brand new – they are useful for pre-preparing or batch cooking meals at home.

This can help prevent food waste – using up ingredients in the fridge that would otherwise have gone out of date, freezing the meal until you need it at a later date.

Repurpose and upcycle

Could you find a new use for packaging before it heads off for recycling?

Whether it be using that Christmas chocolate tin as a cake tin, plastic food trays as plant pots or seed trays or crafting with the children.

so much packaging can be given a new lease of life.

Home composting

Many councils across England do not currently collect food waste as part of their kerbside collections.  Unfortunately, this can lead to lots of food scraps going to landfill, where they decompose slowly creating greenhouse gasses.

In the UK, there are around 27 million people who partake in gardening (lovethegarden.com).

Fruit & vegetable peelings from the kitchen can be home composted – giving a valuable supply of homemade compost.  Recyclenow.com have a handy guide on “How to start home composting”.