Household Waste

Prevention and minimisation of waste are at the top of the waste management hierarchy. These are the most desirable method of waste management, as a reduction in waste means there is a reduction in the need for the handling, transport and treatment of waste and the associated problems. There are a number of steps that householders can take to both prevent and reduce household waste.

Reducing your Waste at Home

Waste can be reduced by making some intelligent product choices and simple lifestyle changes. The following are some hints to get started with reducing your waste in the home:

• Get a compost bin.
• Use a pay-by-weight or pay-by-volume waste collection service.
• Purchase refillable containers for cleaners, washing solutions and detergents whenever possible.
• Buy a battery re-charger and use recyclable batteries.
• Try to buy unpackaged goods and avoid over-packaged products, choosing loose fruit and vegetables instead of pre-packed ones.
•  Buy products in returnable containers whenever possible.
• Buy products made from recycled materials.
• Re-use envelopes; purchase re-use labels.
• Avoid using cling film and aluminium foil. Use a box with a lid instead.
• Use re-sealable containers for packed lunches.
• Use and refill your own drinks bottle.
• Pass on unwanted clothes, mobile phones and furniture to friends, charities and second-hand shops.
• Tick boxes in surveys stating no requirement for further unsolicited mail shot material.
• Try to repair electrical appliances rather than replacing them.
• Avoid disposable products, such as disposable nappies, tissues, face wipes, razors, paper and plastic cups, plates and cutlery, kitchen towels, serviettes, computer cartridges and disposable cameras.
• Take your own shopping bag every time you go shopping, not just when you are buying groceries.
• Many GPs will accept unused medicines.
• Many charity shops, and Boots Pharmacies, will accept unwanted glasses.
• Use old clothes no longer suitable for wearing as rags.
• Sell old books and school books, either to second-hand shops or through the Internet. Web sites such as ebay can be useful for selling unwanted items.
• Try selling old furniture rather than disposing of it. The Evening Echo's advertising service is well-used for this purpose.

Household Hazardous Wastes

The following common household wastes are classified as hazardous:

• Paints
• Strippers
• Thinners
• Batteries
• Fluorescent tubes
• Insecticides
• Old medicines
• Cleaning agents
• Detergents and bleaches
• Light bulbs
• Waste oils

It is extremely important that these items are not disposed of in your normal household waste. Cork County Council accepts these wastes at many of its Civic Amenity Sites, and also offers a hazardous waste or 'Chemcar' collection as an alternative disposal option.

Illegal Burning of Waste

Householders should note that burning of household waste is illegal and does not represent a legitimate form of household waste reduction.