Double the use and no money spent at all.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n7. Christmas trees<\/h2>\n
Real Christmas trees can be recycled and turned into chippings for parks and play areas, and most councils do this.<\/p>\n
Some authorities including Gateshead and Winchester even have special collection and drop-off points to make this as easy as possible around the start of January once the festive season is out of the way.<\/p>\n
All tinsel and decorations must be off (of course they can be used next year too if stored properly!)<\/p>\n
Artificial trees cannot be recycled at recycling depots but are often used year after year by families who store them away for use each year.<\/p>\n
Those wanting to bin their artificial tree may find that charity shops will accept them to sell on.<\/p>\n
8. Batteries<\/h2>\n
Often the one thing parents dash out to buy on Christmas Eve when they realise that much-wanted toy in fact does not come with batteries.<\/p>\n
But these are surprisingly easily recycled once they\u2019ve run out.\nAll types of household batteries, including button ones for items such as watches, can be recycled to be used again.<\/p>\n
Some councils collect batteries as part of their household collection service but in most areas there will be a designated place to take these. Recycling depots tend to take them and there are often drop-off points in supermarkets.<\/p>\n
9. Upcycling to give those gifts the homemade touch<\/h2>\n
Does your Aunt Susie really need another bath soak set? If you\u2019re finding yourself constantly picking up bulk generic items for families, why not think a bit more outside the box this year?<\/p>\n
You can save yourself money and recycle by bringing a homemade touch to the presents under the Christmas tree and people are bound to be impressed and touched that you went out of your way to make something special for them.<\/p>\n
A little bit of creativity goes a long way: jam jars can be revamped to make excellent candle holders while old bulbs painted a pretty colour can make beautiful homemade baubles.<\/p>\n
Old tubs can even be used to give homemade scrubs which take no time to make at all, just grab some soft brown sugar, mix it with an oil like coconut or olive oil then add some drops of some favoured essential oils and voila, a homemade body scrub which smells heavenly!<\/p>\n
Christmas cards could be turned into bunting for next year and twigs from the garden can be put together to make rustic Christmas tree crafts.<\/p>\n
10. Giving the gift of time<\/h2>\n
Consider whether loved ones even need presents that require wrapping. Can you come up with different ideas to spend time with family and friends instead of throwing money at them on one day of the year?<\/p>\n
Ideas for innovative presents include swimming lessons or a day out somewhere special. You can give new parents babysitting vouchers for some much-needed free time away from their little darlings or better still, you could buy them an annual membership to the National Trust or English Heritage, which they can enjoy all year.<\/p>\n
The possibilities are endless!<\/p>\n","image":{"collection_id":20775,"type":"image","original":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/20775\/2aKx5dIS2r6NrAUcTW9SdyOahKDC2SPUJsLzR8RXAxgHwHJ4ZorcYBP3mzyl.","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/20775\/3idUJ2oCwIwGO5u6LOwhusENAoQDRFr1fs68CsynIn0TTNZUdXkcLHeqWjYK.","thumbnail@2x":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/20775\/XoVFqoMUBzrWz4MxQ3c7RNy7MzU9VOUHPrGVW2G5tWMn2ys8gmQpoJZOcs8C.","small":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/20775\/yYDLsIc2EO880bmEeigx2IsMh4KJ0FCmWmtWqbRZjVtNT52OtOFYXzIuSWcS.","medium":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/20775\/5dCOTd0CmyZnLxwJucTrbYxbxLnhdKMX1iKGUWuaDBEZgdnQ1YPnHYxC7PaC.","large":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/20775\/1dd3HOdkFRGPgTOpziHiBBWs0izASZHEktUQagEZ1QNAlqxH2OduZtoF6jMu."},"user":null},{"id":13,"user_id":null,"collection_id":12415,"title":"Men Fined For Dumping Waste Illegally","slug":"men-fined-for-dumping-waste-illegally","summary":"Three men have been fined for dumping waste illegally at a huge fly-tipping site in Hampshire.","published_at":"2019-09-05 00:00:00","created_at":"05 Sep, 2019","updated_at":"2019-09-05T08:33:56.000000Z","html":"
Some of the waste dumped illegally at a site in Havant, Hampshire ended up in a nearby stream.<\/p>\n
Daniel Worboys of \u2018Rubbish Clearance Portsmouth<\/strong>\u2019, Jason Newman of \u2018What A Load Of Rubbish<\/strong>\u2019 and Sidney Simpson of \u2018S&S Clearances<\/strong>\u2019 pleaded guilty at Portsmouth Magistrates Court for dumping waste illegally - including waste collected from a church in Portsmouth.<\/p>\nA fourth defendant, Ben Bennett (real name Lezlie Hollis) pleaded not guilty and his case has been adjourned until 10 September 2019.\nIn September 2018, a major fly-tipping site was discovered by the Environment Agency on Hulbert Road, Havant.<\/p>\n
\nIt found orchestrated dumping of household and commercial waste by trespassers, including waste forming around 40 different tips from many small vehicles.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
The waste site caused problems for the environment with some of the waste catching fire, causing toxic smoke, and some entering the local stream. It cost around \u00a3100,000 to clear the site.<\/p>\n
Mattresses and household items were among the rubbish dumped on the site.<\/p>\n
![\"Hampshire](\"https:\/\/clearwaste.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/images\/blog\/men-fined-for-dumping-waste-illegally\/dumping-1.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
Following an extensive investigation, the Environment Agency identified the three men, who pleaded guilty to dumping the waste at the Hulbert Road site.<\/p>\n
Daniel Worboys, who was sentenced to 12 weeks\u2019 imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay \u00a31,500 compensation, admitted he had collected waste from a number of customers that he deposited at the site near Havant. He also did not use correct paperwork.<\/p>\n
Jason Newman was sentenced to 12 weeks\u2019 imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay \u00a31,000 in compensation. The Environment Agency found paperwork belonging to Jason Newman at the site.<\/p>\n
![\"Illegal](\"https:\/\/clearwaste.ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/images\/blog\/men-fined-for-dumping-waste-illegally\/dumping-2.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
It also found that he had dumped waste he had collected from a housing association and a landlord as part of a house clearance. He also did not use correct paperwork.<\/p>\n
Sidney Simpson, who was sentenced to 12 weeks\u2019 imprisonment suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay \u00a31,000 compensation, was employed to clear household and business waste from a church in Portsmouth by the pastor who had employed him before. He also did not use correct paperwork.<\/p>\n
Some of the waste caught fire, causing toxic smoke.<\/p>\n
A spokesman for the Environment Agency, said:<\/p>\n
\n"Their actions showed blatant disregard for the environment.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n"These waste criminals also undermine legitimate businesses.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n"In cases like this, we have no hesitation in prosecuting those involved as we want to make sure that waste crime doesn\u2019t pay.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n"We all have a part to play in stopping waste crime. We encourage the public to ask to see their waste collector\u2019s \u2018Waste Carriers Registration<\/strong>\u2019 and demand a \u2018Waste Transfer Note<\/strong>\u2019, which states where they are taking the waste to be disposed.<\/em>"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","image":{"collection_id":12415,"type":"image","original":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/12415\/YPHVkkgC5qau85mTlPbtKPMMVOthCyx61U46AEjDGdsgg21NoUWqrhls69jy.jpg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/12415\/nu423D5hyeBEEkXLhSvyGcaYCAmx53WS5Qt39mVFiPF7syUqlNEvZRokY315.jpg","thumbnail@2x":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/12415\/D4ZCbRi0kRtgMXlM7ywULi1CxUCNUv8XSP8jV4PcJlf2UkxbjNJOOANRqmVr.jpg","small":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/12415\/EOs7nINnzLvXYRA5OkDeCGF74z2IsH1jNviS3tx2cSmscslJNrOHchEvQBrD.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/12415\/X8PIenDHU9LQAz2i8bnP1lur7nuzWoGFZlTJBufFvhUecILjm2PrtC2uSMSf.jpg","large":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/12415\/feu9DtIfzMir7QFvMJeEompIOU5hw4RzyQx0Y1Gusr5CoU6LVSuy0jEmbKMx.jpg"},"user":null},{"id":12,"user_id":null,"collection_id":10618,"title":"Plans announced for deposits on bottles, cans and cups","slug":"plans-announced-for-deposits-on-bottles-cans-and-cups","summary":"As the UK tries to pave the way to a greener future, new plans have been released which could see consumers forced to pay a returnable deposit on bottles, cans and disposable cups.","published_at":"2019-08-28 00:00:00","created_at":"28 Aug, 2019","updated_at":"2019-08-28T10:23:00.000000Z","html":"The plans could \u2013 if approved \u2013 see a price hike on the likes of takeaway coffees, as the Government forces consumers to pay a \u201cmonetary deposit\u201d which they would then get back once the item is recycled.<\/p>\n
\nThe new scheme would be a forced bottle deposit essentially.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Costing consumers money if they do not recycle the container they bought their drink in.<\/p>\n
The Government\u2019s Resources and Waste Strategy was last updated 11 years ago and now ministers are working out a new way forward which is likely to see a broad number of changes to the way households around the country work.<\/p>\n
But how would the bottle deposits work?<\/h2>\n
This is where the controversy comes in. Although these plans have been announced, there has been no specific detail on just how this would be the case.<\/p>\n
Around the world bottle deposits are a well-used way of encouraging recycling.<\/p>\n
\nThere are 40 countries and 21 US states with some kind of deposit return scheme currently in operation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
A small amount of money, ranging from around 8p to 22p, is added to the price of a drink which is then given back once the item is recycled.<\/p>\n
How the items are recycled varies greatly though.<\/p>\n
In some areas, shops have special drop off areas while in others non-manned machines named \u2018reverse vending machines\u2019 have been installed.<\/p>\n
How it works in the UK still has a long way to be finalised, but obviously there would be more of a cost to the vending machines route.<\/p>\n
Environmental consultants Eunomia estimated one machine could cost \u00a330,000 to buy, \u00a32,000 to install and another \u00a32,700 a year to operate.<\/p>\n
\nMinisters want to introduce a blanket one-fits-all rule to items which are accepted as recycling-worthy<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
What are the other measures being put in place?<\/h2>\n
At present, there is a postcode lottery approach to recycling in the UK. Depending on where you live depends on which items are accepted as recycling-worthy, and how often your recycling is taken.<\/p>\n
Ministers want this to change, instead introducing a blanket one-fits-all rule to eradicate any confusion.<\/p>\n
But how will this work?<\/h2>\n
Under the Government\u2019s plans, all homes in England will be provided by local councils with separate collections for food waste while forcing companies to introduce labels on packaging to make it expressly clear on what they can and can\u2019t recycle.<\/p>\n
Local councils will also be encouraged to provide an extra collection for the food waste, for which there is currently no one-size-fits-all approach.<\/p>\n
\nIn England only 35 percent of households are obliged to put food waste in a caddy separately from other rubbish. In Scotland 56 percent do, while in Wales the figure is 100 percent.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Ministers are also looking to ban the charge currently doled out to households for the collection of garden waste. This is because if greenery ends up in landfill it produces methane \u2013 a powerful and deadly greenhouse gas.<\/p>\n
The then Environment Secretary Michael Gove said:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cOur strategy sets out how we will go further and faster, to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Together we can move away from being a \u2018throw-away\u2019 society, to one that looks at waste as a valuable resource.<\/em>"<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nWhen will this happen?<\/h2>\n
Well, this is very much a \u2018how long is a piece of string\u2019 type question. None of these plans are finalised. And considering this will take into account budgets of local authorities all over the country, the consultation process is likely to be a long one. But\nthe Government does have high expectations and targets to hit in terms of recycling.<\/p>\n
So how will it affect me?<\/h2>\n
Again, nothing yet finalised, but under the draft plans put out there, in a number of ways.<\/p>\n
\nIf the plans for food waste caddies goes ahead, you could find your main rubbish collections will become less frequent.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Plus, if you\u2019re buying a bottle of water, or a coffee, that price may be elevated as shops would be forced to add on an undisclosed amount as the \u2018deposit\u2019. You would then get this amount back when the item is recycled.<\/p>\n
So, what\u2019s next?<\/h2>\n
The Government\u2019s motto on this is \u201cWe must stop throwing so much away, because there is no away<\/em>\u201d and it is a good one to remember.<\/p>\nBut campaigners say many small details have been left out of the policy.<\/p>\n
Libby Peake from the Green Alliance cautiously backed the plans, but said consumers need more information on just how this will work.<\/p>\n
Will there be more recycling points? Easier ways to recycle the odd bottle here and there? How will councils afford yet more frequent, and more varied, bin collections on dwindling budgets?<\/p>\n
She said:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThere is a lot of good in the policies \u2013 it is on the right lines. But we do need to see the exact detail on just how things will work.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nShe also raised concerns that the consultation plans show that large drinks bottles will be excluded from the deposit return scheme, saying she believes it needs to be \u201call in.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\nShadow environment secretary Sue Hayman also raised concerns on how plans would work \u201cin reality\u201d, saying:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cYou can\u2019t aim to prevent fly-tipping without ending the cuts to councils. And we need a plan for stopping the export of UK recycling and waste plastics to countries where they currently end up in landfill or polluting our oceans.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","image":{"collection_id":10618,"type":"image","original":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/10618\/QyX2t0ESb06UItBZjPSvuP2qHe6A4QmBGU2ednD1QfQT1jh15XuiZQ9us43g.jpg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/10618\/bCeNS0BaWQC9b2OMbzvYZ86tCA0a2VX7cURrcxfLl1N7uC18hk2oZj8mHImY.jpg","thumbnail@2x":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/10618\/U70QLzNIXOAzunQ9UUjmkReGofFpHP7trCeQWplfyNTbX3LGFMjybawpnNU2.jpg","small":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/10618\/ndgsAqr7L2L5obWYBOrHEGgdOI0k0g093be5bV4c6Ix1N63Gbqa7TfK9murQ.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/10618\/9VF4fCsMDr4Nrm4P6Ccf5DkLFn4o8iDhEG8eQJMBBkD7ht7t3JjpEttjTTkd.jpg","large":"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/uploads\/app\/images\/10618\/MUz9InShkIAkKinl58ylOkxdiuyEgLO5CEfukmuiAn50nf0ZU3aBBkFWmUv8.jpg"},"user":null}],"first_page_url":"https:\/\/api.clearwaste.com\/blog?page=1","from":1,"last_page":2,"last_page_url":"https:\/\/api.clearwaste.com\/blog?page=2","links":[{"url":null,"label":"« Previous","active":false},{"url":"https:\/\/api.clearwaste.com\/blog?page=1","label":"1","active":true},{"url":"https:\/\/api.clearwaste.com\/blog?page=2","label":"2","active":false},{"url":"https:\/\/api.clearwaste.com\/blog?page=2","label":"Next »","active":false}],"next_page_url":"https:\/\/api.clearwaste.com\/blog?page=2","path":"https:\/\/api.clearwaste.com\/blog","per_page":10,"prev_page_url":null,"to":10,"total":20}}
![\"SCRAP](\"https:\/\/cdn.clearwaste.com\/images\/blog\/scrap-blog-image.jpg\" "\\"SCRAP")
\n","image":null,"user":null},{"id":18,"user_id":null,"collection_id":356675,"title":"Paul Bristow MP \"Disposal of Waste (advertising & penalty provision)\"","slug":"paul-bristow-mp-disposal-of-waste","summary":"Paul Bristow MP of Peterborough at the House of Commons Chamber, where he delivered a crucial 10 Minute Bill addressing the issue of fly-tipping.\nThe bill, titled \"Disposal of Waste (advertising & penalty provision)\"","published_at":"2024-03-28 00:00:00","created_at":"28 Mar, 2024","updated_at":"2024-03-28T14:31:45.000000Z","html":"