Worcester City Council is offering residents handy hints to help them crack down on domestic waste over the Easter period. Across the UK it is estimated that more than 8,000 tonnes of waste is generated from Easter egg packaging and cards, while food waste also rises as families come together over the bank holiday weekend.
To help, Let's Waste Less Worcestershire has produced this egg-cellent guide to support people to reduce their waste and recycling this Easter:
Food waste – the average household in Worcestershire with children throws away £700 worth of food away every year. Some of this is due to simply cooking too much. A portion size checker, advice on food waste reduction and recipes for leftovers can all be found at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
Buy wisely – if opting for a chocolate egg, choose one with a small amount of packaging. Particularly look for ones that use no or little plastic - or why not make your own?
Recycle as much you can – cardboard packaging around eggs can be recycled in your green bin
Plastic egg-shaped packaging - this can be recycled too, so put it in your green bin
Sweet wrappers contained within eggs should go in your black bin
Send an e-card - save paper by sending an electronic greeting to friends and family. If you want to send a traditional card, opt for one without glitter or bows, as these can't be recycled. After Easter ensure your cards make it into your green bin.
Worcester's first zero waste shop, Pack It In, celebrates its sixth month anniversary in April. It is stocking a range of vegan chocolate eggs with no plastic packaging.
Owner Philippa Gilfillan says: "The first six months have been very encouraging for the business; we have a strong and growing customer base. David Attenborough's new Our Planet series has helped to raise awareness even further.
"Consuming less, both in terms of materials and food, needs to be a goal for everyone if we are to protect our planet in the future."
Pack It In (www.packitin-zerowasteliving.co.uk) received a business start-up grant from Worcester City Council in 2018. It is based in The Gallery, off The Shambles, WR1 2RD.
For more waste reduction information visit www.letswasteless.com. Go to www.worcester.gov.uk/recycling for a full list of recyclable items locally.
There will be no changes to Worcester City Council's domestic refuse collection over the Easter bank holiday weekend, with collections taking place on Friday 19 April.
