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Reduce waste at home

Modern life is extremely convenient, and most of us wouldn’t want to lose many of the perks that come with it. But the downside of modern life is that it comes with a price: in the form of waste. People are starting to pay attention to the consequences of the ‘throwaway’ culture, and urgent action is called for to reduce wasteful practices that threaten our health and well-being through the loss of habitat and the invasion of microplastics in our lives. We now know that microplastics are in everything, including our bloodstream and organs. Reducing plastic and general waste at home is a fantastic way to ensure that Surrey stays clean and free of litter, and to reduce the presence of microplastic in our lives.

In 2022-23, we threw away 493,510 tonnes of material from our collective households. That was a 5.2% reduction from 2021-22 – good job Team Surrey, we’re going in the right direction (Surrey Environment Partnership)! But there’s always room to do more, by buying ‘circular’ products, shopping zero-waste, or repairing and upcycling items instead of buying new ones. Recycling is an essential part of waste management, but the best way to reduce the impact of waste is to simply make less of it. Join fellow Surrey residents to keep Surrey clean and reduce waste to preserve our beautiful landscapes for present and future generations and local wildlife.

We're currently producing about 440kg of rubbish from every Surrey home per year. If we can all take a step or two to reduce this, we will benefit ourselves, the community, and the whole planet through:

  • Reducing the need for raw materials, thereby conserving our precious natural resources.
  • Mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, both from the landfill and factories.
  • Reducing the risk of plastic pollution which harms the health of wildlife and our own.
  • Creating a cleaner and healthier living environment for the community.
  • Saving money by reducing excessive spending.
  • Sending a message to manufacturers driving 'throwaway' culture that they need to change.
  • Encouraging creativity through upcycling of old items: This could add unique and attractive elements to home decor, whilst providing a positive mental health boost.