Author: Lucy Ravenhall

Lucy is a long-standing editor of the Forge Recycling blog and loves writing about her environmental passions.

How to recycle Christmas cards

Even in today’s digital era, Christmas cards remain a thriving tradition, with the UK alone witnessing the exchange of approximately one billion cards over the festive season.

Surprisingly, the younger generation is championing this custom, sending more cards than their older counterparts. With such numbers, it’s clearly a tradition that’s here to stay.

However, this annual exchange delivers an environmental consideration. With so many cards and envelopes being distributed every December, the aftermath involves managing over two billion pieces of waste. How we handle this waste can significantly impact our planet.

Let’s explore the importance of disposing of Christmas cards responsibly and unearth actionable ways to reuse and recycle this seasonal waste.

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How to upcycle a kitchen

The kitchen is the bustling heart of every home and often bears the brunt of daily life.

While traditional kitchen replacements can strain both your finances and the environment, there’s a creative alternative worth exploring: upcycling.

Uncover the art of revitalising your kitchen on a budget —breathing new life into familiar spaces.

Join us as we delve into the why and how of upcycling, offering a sustainable solution for a refreshed culinary haven.

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Recycling: How to dispose of vapes

In the bustling streets of the UK, a startling statistic looms large: eight single-use vapes meet their fate in the bin every second, culminating in a staggering 5 million discarded weekly.

When they don’t end up in bins — which lead to landfill sites —they find an afterlife as litter instead.

The NHS champions vaping as a viable means for adult smokers to break free from the shackles of cigarette smoking. Yet, amidst its endorsement, caution flags fly high, acknowledging vaping’s limitations and potential risks — particularly emphasising its unsuitability for children and teenagers.

The irony, however, lies in the deliberate marketing of single-use, brightly-coloured vapes sporting tempting flavours — an alluring siren call that resonates with the younger demographic.

While our understanding of vaping’s impact on the human body remains in its infancy, the ecological fallout of these pens paints a stark reality. As these devices weave into our environment, their footprint becomes increasingly conspicuous.

It’s time to smoke out the misinformation and delve into the world of vapes — understanding what they are and how to dispose of them responsibly.

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How to safely and legally dispose of knives

As with many kitchen utensils, kitchen knives can wear down and become less effective over time — prompting the need for replacement.

However, when the time comes to part ways with these sharp and potentially dangerous tools, questions about proper and legal disposal often arise.

Let’s cut through the mystery, explore various methods for safely disposing of kitchen knives, and discover exciting possibilities for their reuse, upcycling, and recycling.

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Pumpkin waste: the real Halloween horror story

Halloween is a much-loved celebration that has long served as a symbolic bridge between the worlds of the living and the dead.

Nowadays, this October festivity is synonymous with trick-or-treaters, elaborate costumes, spirited gatherings, and the tradition of pumpkin picking and carving.

However, Halloween has a skeleton in its closet. The chilling truth is this eerie celebration generates significant waste, with pumpkin carving being a major contributor.

Pumpkins are typically picked, intricately carved, proudly displayed, and then discarded — before ending up in a landfill as pumpkin pollution.

This year alone, a spine-tingling 22.2 million pumpkins are projected to meet this grim fate. Sticking the knife in further, this equates to a staggering £32.6 million in wasted resources and thousands of tonnes of perfectly edible pumpkin flesh.

Let’s dive deep into our cauldron of ideas and shed some light on how to make environmentally responsible choices this Halloween.

We’ll explore methods to select and decorate your pumpkin and explain how to avoid contributing to the ghoulish waste statistics this October.

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A simple guide to blister pack recycling

Most pre-packaged tablet medications in the UK come in blister packs.

Regrettably, these blister packs pose challenges for recycling, and the majority find their way into regular waste bins, eventually reaching landfills.

There is hope as efforts are underway to recycle this medication waste. However, information on the proper recycling methods remains scarce, so uptake is low.

Let’s dive into the nature of blister packs and how to recycle them responsibly.

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The complete guide to water cremation

Almost 80% of families in the UK choose traditional cremation when a loved one passes away, while the remaining 20% opt for burial.

However, it’s no secret that land for burial is scarce, and the flame cremation process carries a heavy carbon footprint  — each cremation releases approximately 245 kg of carbon into the atmosphere. As a result, annual carbon emissions from cremations in the UK amount to a staggering 115,150 tonnes.

With growing concern, the funeral industry and the general public are keen to find a greener alternative, and water cremation is gaining traction. However, most of the UK’s population remains unfamiliar with it.

Let’s investigate water cremation, its operational process, associated costs, and environmental advantages.

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Eight ways to upcycle & recycle old jewellery

Jewellery holds sentimental and emotional value for many people. However, with shifting trends, evolving preferences, and the potential for wear and tear, many of us own jewellery that remains overlooked and unworn.

Rather than relegating pieces to the shadows of a jewellery box or sending them to landfill, a more inspired and eco-conscious destiny beckons — the realm of recycling and upcycling.

If you have an unfashionable ring stashed away or a broken pair of sparkly earrings, join us as we uncover the potential of rejuvenating old jewellery.

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Agroforestry: The beginner’s guide

Agroforestry has been happening since ancient times and is still widely practised worldwide by over 1.2 billion people on approximately 1 billion hectares of land.

However, this land management method has faced various barriers to widespread adoption in the UK. 72% of the country’s land is farmed, and just 3% is used for agroforestry systems.

Let’s explore agroforestry and how it works before diving into its advantages and drawbacks. Doing so will give us a comprehensive understanding of the practice and its potential for the UK and the environment.

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Seven ways schools can reduce paper waste

Schools play a vital role in promoting responsible practices within local communities, yet many produce a shocking amount of waste.

Every primary school pupil in the UK produces an estimated 45kg of waste per academic year, while secondary school pupils generate 22kg.

Notably, 70% of the waste in school bins comprises food waste, paper, and card materials.

Despite the potential for recycling, just 20% of the food, paper, and card waste in schools is currently being recycled.

Let’s hit the books and explore how your school can reduce paper waste and increase recycling to boost its eco credentials and academic budget long-term.

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