Recycle

Definition: to convert rubbish into new materials

A lot of what some people might think of as rubbish or waste is actually valuable material.

Aluminium

Did you know that bauxite, the raw material for aluminium, is found underground in tropical rainforest areas? This type of mining makes aluminium very expensive.

Twenty recycled aluminium cans can be manufactured with the same energy it takes to make one brand new can.

Did you know that the aluminium drinks can is the world's most recycled packaging container?

Plastic

Plastic is inert, which means it doesn't react with any elements such as the air or water and so never biodegrades, or rots away. It will stay in the ground for over 500 years. This is why it is so important to recycle plastic, if it cannot be reduced or reused. In August 2002, Changeworks Recycling launched the first, plastic bottle recycling scheme in Edinburgh.

Plastic bottles can be placed in the green-lidded Packaging points around Edinburgh. Please wash and squash items before placing them in the point.

Plastic bottles can be placed in the green boxes for kerbside collection in East Lothian.

Supermarkets often have recycling points situated in their car-parks. When you go shopping, you can also take your recyclable materials there.

Click here to find out where your local recycling point is located.

Encourage all your family and friends to start recycling. Show by example how easy it can be to recycle and how much less waste you end up throwing in your bin.

Composting

It's easy to start composting at home. If you have a garden you can use a compost bin, or if you live in a flat with no garden, you can keep a wormery in your kitchen.

Both are very clean and easy to use.

A compost bin uses worms to turn your fruit, vegetable and garden waste into fertiliser. A wormery is self-contained and needs little care other than regular feedings.

Further information on composting can be found here.

Why not start composting at school and enter your school into the "What Rot!" Comnposting Competition? Find more on the competition here.