When it comes to recycling, it’s not just what you put in your bin that counts, it’s also what you put in your shopping basket. And if you’re shopping for eco-products, we’re guessing you’re pretty clued up when it comes to recycling. You probably recycle as much as you can at home, but have you ever thought about where your waste ends up once it’s been recycled? Choosing products made from recycled materials, or ones that come in recycled packaging, helps to reduce the demand for natural resources, save energy and reduce waste. Many of these materials can then go on to be recycled again, and again, and again.
Did you know?
- Recycling cuts energy – if everyone in the UK recycled all their glass, it would save enough energy to chill 56 bottles of wine every single day, in every single UK home.[i]
- Recycling 1 tonne of paper saves over 680 gallons of oil, 26,500 litres of water and 17 trees.[ii]
- If everyone in the UK recycled just one more drinks can, it would save enough energy to send an electric train from Leeds to Brighton and back 6,000 times. [iii]
At Big Green Smile, we try to make it as easy as possible for you to choose recycled materials. Tick the ‘recycled products’ box in the criteria tab when you’re looking for something specific, or just browse all recycled household products here. You’ll find everything from toothbrushes and kitchen roll to baking parchment and cleaning supplies.
Our favourite recycled products include:
- Preserve Recycled Eco Toothbrush. Made from recycled yoghurt pots, this brush is available with either soft or medium bristles and features an easy-to-grip curved handle.
- Preserve Triple Razor. Not only is this razor made from recycled plastic, the handle can also be recycled again. The blades are replaceable though, so it should last you for a good few years yet.
- Ecoleaf Recycled Toilet Paper. We find this a lot softer than other recycled loo rolls on the market and judging by the sheer number of five star reviews, our customers agree with us. The bag is also fully compostable.
We also stock a wide range of products housed in recycled packaging, including these eco household brands:
- Bio-D. The British brand uses recycled (and recyclable) bottles for its range of natural cleaning products.
- Humble. Humble’s toothbrushes are made from sustainably grown bamboo, and the packaging is made from recycled plastic and cardboard. Every purchase also helps to provide oral health care for kids in need.
- Marcel's Green Soap. Fed up of sickly floral fragrances? Marcel’s Green Soap make all purpose cleaners and washing up liquids with scents such as sandalwood & cardamom, and basil & vetiver grass. Bottles are made from 100% recycled materials and products are 100% natural.
- Dr. Bronner's. These castille liquid soaps are kind to your skin and kind to the planet.
- Faith in Nature. We’re in love with Faith in Nature’s newly branded packaging. Not only is it recycled, it’s also really rather beautiful.
Keep the loop closed…
When you’ve finished with the packaging, it can go back into your recycling bin. It’s called closed-loop recycling. So next time, that recycled shampoo bottle might be reincarnated as a travel mug or winter jumper.
Make your recycling centre happier by following these top 10 tips:
- Check exactly what your kerb-side collection will take, as it differs between councils
- Black plastic, like plant pots and food trays, often aren’t accepted, but do check with your local recycling scheme
- Flatten cardboard boxes so they take up less space
- Rinse food waste off (save water by using waste water from your washing up)
- However, don’t try to recycle cardboard that’s been contaminated by food waste – pizza boxes are a definite no-no
- Don’t forget to recycle your bathroom waste, such as shampoo bottles and toilet roll tubes
- Try to remove most of the Sellotape from paper and boxes
- Do the scrunch test on wrapping paper – if it doesn’t stay scrunched, or is glittery or metallic, it probably contains extra materials like plastic, so can’t be recycled
- Compostable packaging can’t usually be recycled. Instead, find out more about composting here
- Hard plastic, like children’s toys, usually can’t be recycled, but your local charity shop might be grateful for them
Have we missed any top recycling tips or forgotten to mention your favourite recycled product? Let us know at Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
[i] https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-knowledge/facts-and-info/recycling-magic
[ii] http://www.theworldcounts.com/stories/Paper-Waste-Facts
[iii] https://www.recyclenow.com/recycling-knowledge/facts-and-info/recycling-magic