Rubbish
In 2020, Shetland households generated 9087 tonnes of rubbish, 18.4% was recycled and a further 57.6% was diverted from landfill. The total carbon impact from rubbish was 26,900 tonnes CO2e.
Reduce
- Avoid fast fashion choices
- Ditch disposable razors and switch to safety razors, or opt for razors that can be sent back to either be recycled or sharpened to last longer
- Don't drop litter, put it in a bin or take it home with you
- Invest in a reusable water bottle
- Organise your cupboards, so that you know what you already own
- Opt for paperless billing
- Reusable period products -- there's plenty out there to choose from to suit everyone
- Reusable tray liners and beeswax film to cover food rather than cling film
- Sign up to the Mail Preference Service to reduce junk mail
- Swap shampoo, conditioner, and hand soap bottles for bars
- Switch to plastic-free tea bags or consider buying loose leaf to save on packaging
- Switch to reusable cotton pads that can be washed and used many times -- over time this is cheaper and more sustainable than non-biodegradable wipes
- Switch to reusable milk bottles
- Take reusable tubs/bags to the supermarket and opt for loose vegetables/fruit
- Try cotton flannels rather than wipes
Reuse
- Donate to or set up your own swap shop
- Make the most of second hand shops
- Opt for refillable bottles of shampoo, conditioner and hand soap -- which can all be done in Lerwick, along with many other products
- Reuse or repair items to give them a new lease of life
- Sell unwanted items at a car boot sale or an online auction site/marketplace
- Take unwanted items to a charity shop or the Shetland Home Company
Recycle
- Check to see if you can return items, that can't be recycled by the Council, to the manufacturer for recycling after you're finished with it
- Compost your kitchen and garden waste
- Recycle what you can