Reducing is the first step in tackling waste. Reduce the amount of packaging you buy, then reuse what you can and recycle the rest. Smart shopping is all about reducing the amount of packaging that ends up in your bin.

Re-use Carrier Bags

Shops in the UK handout over 17.5 billion plastic shopping bags every year. This equates to 290 for every single man woman and child.

Every standard plastic carrier bag we throw away stays buried in the ground for generations before it finally breaks down. We can reduce the number of bags we throw away by:

• Re-using carrier bags for the weekly shop instead of always taking new ones at the checkout.
• Use a re-usable shopping bag of your choice.
• Putting everything into a single bag when we buy several small items from different shops, instead of taking a separate bag from each shop.

Choose Less Packaging

Up to a quarter of rubbish we throw away is packaging. Some packaging is necessary to protect goods, but we can reduce the amount of rubbish we throw away and often save money too, by choosing products with less packaging. We can make a difference by:

• Buying fruit and vegetables loose rather than pre-packaged.
• Choosing refills for items like washing powder, fabric conditioner, which can be put into the original container, or a concentrated form which will be in a smaller bottle for the same number of washes.
• Pack a lunchbox and avoid pre-packed sandwiches.
• Buy in bulk to avoid lots of individually packaged miniature and single serving foods.

Buy Recycled

Paper, plastic and other products can all be made from recycled materials, without the prices going up or the quality going down. If we buy more recycled goods we will encourage manufactures to demand more recycled materials to make them from. In the long run this will reduce the rubbish we bury in the ground. We can help this process by:

• Choose recycled stationery products like notepads, envelopes, rulers and pens.
• Wrap up the roast chicken with recycled aluminium foil.
• Choose toilet paper and kitchen towel made from recycled paper.
• Be amazed by buying clothing and bags made from recycled plastic bottle fibres.
• Hunt out funky shopping bags made from recycled cement bags, old saris or yacht sails.
  

Buy long-life products

• Avoid disposable products like napkins, plates and cups
• Buy rechargeable batteries
• Also look for torches, radios and other small electrical items that are powered by solar or wind-up technology.
• Buy cotton nappies which can be washed and reused (the average baby uses a tonne of disposable nappies)

Buy Local Products

Buying locally is not only better for the environment by reducing food miles and minimising waste, it also provides a revenue for local farmers. Make the most of what is available this summer by visiting one of the many farm shops, farmers' markets and 'pick your own' sites dotted around the county.

Local fruit and vegetables are often sold fresh from the field so do not require any treatment or packaging to preserve them. Also think about visiting your local greengrocer, butcher or market to pick up some tasty goods.

For a comprehensive guide on where to find local produce, go to the Big Barn website.