Make do and mend may seem like an old-fashioned concept, but the mindset could actually be very beneficial in modern times too. We have investigated the idea, what it means, what it involves, and how it can be of benefit to families and the environment nowadays.
Author: Lucy Ravenhall
Lucy is a long-standing editor of the Forge Recycling blog and loves writing about her environmental passions.
6 ways to cut down on plastic when travelling
When it comes to cutting down on your plastic use, the key is in the planning. With just a couple of reusable items in your arsenal, you can easily avoid having to use most single-use plastic on your travels. We have gathered together six helpful tips to get you started with your plastic-free mission on your next holiday.
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Canary Wharf launches UK’s first waste deposit return scheme
Single-use plastic bottles and drinks cans can now be recycled at Canary Wharf, London, through a dedicated deposit return scheme. The machine being used to implement the scheme is said to be the first of its kind in use in the UK.
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Littering fines in England have doubled
Councils across the country have been given the power to increase their local on-the-spot littering and graffiti fines to £150. This means the fines have almost doubled from the previous maximum fine amount of £80.
Collecting England’s litter costs the taxpayer almost £700m per year, so these fixed penalty fines go towards replenishing that cost for our local councils.
Waitrose to ditch disposable coffee cups
Supermarket chain Waitrose has vowed to remove all disposable cups from its stores by autumn 2018. It currently gives out approximately 52m disposable cups per year through its loyalty scheme, myWaitrose, which offers shoppers a free hot drink from a self-serve machine each time they visit a store.
How to recycle cosmetics — and extend their life
Despite the fact that make-up and cosmetics are more popular than ever right now, there isn’t much information out there about what to do with these products once you’ve finished using them, or how to make the most out of them and save on waste. We have gathered together some top tips on how to recycle your cosmetics and also how to extend their life.
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LEGO creates plant-based toys
LEGO, the Danish company which is highly popular with both children and adults for its buildable plastic bricks, has taken the move to produce a new range of sustainable plastic pieces made from sugarcane. These are currently in production.
Meet the world’s first plastic-free supermarket aisle
This week marked the unveiling of the world’s first plastic-free supermarket aisle. Dutch supermarket chain Ekoplaza has installed the trial aisle in its Amsterdam branch, and hopes to roll out similar aisles within its 74 other branches by the end of 2018.
The aisle features over 700 plastic-free products including fresh fruit and vegetables, sauces, meat, rice, snacks, cereal, yoghurt, and more. Those items that do require some kind of packaging have instead been packed in environmentally-friendly compostable biomaterials where appropriate, alongside more traditional glass, cardboard and metal.
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Where to refill your water bottle for free in Leeds
An ambitious new plan has been unveiled in a bid to cut the UK’s plastic waste, which will see a network of free water refill points come into play across the country. These refill points will be in shops, cafes, local businesses, museums, council buildings, and more, and we will also see the restoration and installation of public water fountains.
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Textile waste: New clothing range that grows with kids
While it doesn’t hit the headlines as much as plastic waste, textile waste is also a large problem for our planet – especially since the advent of ‘fast fashion’. In fact, in 2015 alone, the UK sent an estimated 1.1 million tonnes of textile waste to landfill. Most of that will have been unwanted, old or outgrown clothing.
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