Sustainable Development

Greening in the Home - Waste

We dispose of everything and buy with the fashions... nothing is forever!

The waste that we create is becoming a greater and greater problem. As we in the developed countries become richer so we become a race of " disposers". We dispose of everything and buy with the fashions...nothing is forever!

We can no longer continue in this manner for many reasons. We cannot continue to mine and use non renewable resources to produce and manufacture products; we are running out of landfill sites into which we can bury our waste; the possible link of health problems to those who live close to landfill and incinerator sites; possible contamination of water courses; the destruction of habitats.

Our government along with Europe has recognised this problem and has put in place a number of policies, legislation and directives relating to waste management To that end the Area Waste Plan for Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway was produced. This provides detail on the methods that each authority is going to put in place to meet the government targets. Should you wish further information on this document or additional information relating to waste please view our wastemanagement section.

How to deal with Waste

First think before you buy - Do I really need this?
Get things repaired rather than throwing them away
In South Ayrshire each householder is able to recycle most items at their doorstep - please use the system
Remember that you can recycle old metal & timber at the civic amentity sites throughout South Ayrshire
Books can be given to hospitals, charity shops or taken to certain amenity sites
Remember all cardboard can be recycled from frozen food boxes to the box the TV comes in!
Donate old furniture to charity shops and other outlets
Donate electrical goods to Access North Ayr
Printer ink cartridges can be donated to charity - who benefit by approx £1 per item
Old mobile phones can be sent to Guide Dogs for the Blind - who benefit by approx £3.50 per item

Remember