Reduce or reuse waste in your area
Your top tips
If you have any great tips to help others get the most out of what they buy, reduce how much they throw in the bin or reuse tell us about them here.
- What fabulous leftover recipe do you have?
- Have you discovered a great way to reduce the amount you throw away?
- Do you know a local reuse outlet that everyone else should know about?
Your top tips will be published here.
How to stop rats getting in your compost bin
If you only put fruit and vegetable matter in your compost bins you shouldn’t attract rats because they prefer to eat meat. Check the composting page for what you can compost. However you can take extra measures to protect your compost from rats:
- Put your compost bin on a solid surface such as concrete; or
- Put wire netting with small holes under your compost bin and attach it around the bottom of the compost bin to stop rats burrowing underneath. You can still get your compost out using the flap so make sure you leave that free to move when attaching the mesh to the bottom edge.
Shared by Brian, Harrow resident.
Save your frayed shirt cuffs
You can give your double cuff or collar shirt an extended life. When the cuffs or collar become frayed it’s possible to unpick the thread and turn the cuff or collar. My late mother in law used to do them for me.
If you know how to do this and can share your expertise send us some instructions and they will be posted on this website.
Shared by Brian, Harrow resident.
Use the stalks for cooking too
You probably cut off the stalks to your vegetables, but there are very few bits that can’t be cooked. Use up the stalks in stir fry, chop them up into small pieces and you’ll never know they’re there.
Shared by Jamie Brown, Executive Chef at Farnham Hall and judge of Future Chef in Hounslow.
A second life for bags for life
Have you been using your hessian/jute bags for life for a long time? Are they beginning to develop small holes or splits in the lining? If they are and you’re thinking about throwing them away here are two alternative ideas for you -
- Plant something in the bag. Simply fill it with compost and grow plants that will only be around for a few months. You could try growing herbs, salad leaves or cascading tomatoes (they can flow over the sides). Patricia from Ealing suggests growing potatoes in these bags.
- Store potatoes, onions, garlic or ginger in your bags. These vegetables need to be stored in a cool dark place and your old bag will give them a bit of protection from the light and strong smells.
This tip is inspired by Patricia, Ealing resident.
Cook by numbers
When you’re cooking you can reduce your leftovers, plan your portions by the number of people you are cooking for. You will develop you own feel for how much someone in your family eats and if you plan round that you’re not going to have many leftovers or any at all. You can get advice for portion planning from the Love Food Hate Waste website planners for parties and for everyday cooking.
Shared by Neil from West Thames College and Judge of Future Chef in Hounslow.