Reduce - reducing the amount of rubbish we produce is the first important step to reduce our impact on the environment. Below are a few suggestions of how this can be achieved:

• Write a shopping list to make sure you don't come home with far more than you need. Don't be caught out by the 3 for 2 offers!
• Choose the products with the least packaging, for example fruit and vegetables that you chose yourself rather than the ones packaged in polystyrene trays and plastic wrapping
• Contact the Mailing Preference Service to stop 95% of the junk mail you receive
• Use e-mail where possible to reduce printing and faxing and don't print e-mails out
• Think before you print at home and at work
• Really think about what you're buying. Think, do I really need that?
• Reuse - so many products we buy end up in landfill within the space of a few months. Clothing, plastic bags, computers - lots of everyday items can be reused instead of dumped

The Furniture Recycling Network (FRN) co-ordinates over 300 projects in the UK. Items of a reasonable quality from businesses and households are readily accepted. Click here for a directory. 

Plenty of charity shops can find a good home for clothes you no longer need. Pop into any on your high street. Find your nearest Oxfam shop here

If your TV's on the blink or your stereo's stopped working think about repairing it before you buy a new one; it's often cheaper and cuts down on waste too.

Disposable nappies cause huge problems in landfill - they are hazardous and are not biodegradable. Real nappies are making a comeback - call the Nappy Line (01983 401959) or visit www.realnappy.com to find out details of any local schemes in your area

Use both sides of paper at work and encourage colleagues to do the same

If you've really finished with that computer, send it to be refurbished or resold. Many international charities or schools can benefit from you unwanted equipment. Try Computers for Charity to start.

Recycle - recycling is on the increase in the UK, but there's still a long way to go. Below are some tips; however, recycling facilities do vary from area to area. To find out more about recycling facilities in your own area visit www.reuze.co.uk, www.recycle-more.co.uk or contact your local authority. The Recycle More website allows you to type in your postcode and see what recycling facilities are available to you.

Paper and cardboard - recycling paper reduces pressure on natural resources and uses considerably less energy than producing paper from virgin materials.

Metals - wash and recycle all your tins and cans. Don't forget your aerosol cans are recyclable, just like any other steel or aluminium container.

Plastics – most types of plastic can be recycled; however, some types of plastic are much easier to recycle than others. A general rule is that local authorities that recycle plastic will only accept plastic with a 1 or a 2 in a triangle on the bottom of the container. Check this before buying products in plastic containers. Visit www.recoup.org for more details on different types of plastic, where you can recycle them and how to buy recycled plastic products.

Electronic equipment - the EU WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Directive now means that manufacturers and retailers of electrical and electronic goods are obliged to take back these goods and dispose of them responsibly. If a product has a crossed out wheelie bin on the packaging then this means it cannot be thrown in general household waste but should returned to the retailer. There are also other organisations and charities that will recycle electronic equipment. The Waste Online website has a useful list of places that recycle all sorts of electrical goods.

Batteries - batteries are pretty nasty beasts. Many older types of battery contain potentially harmful metals like mercury and cadmium, and there are so many different sizes and types of batteries that sorting and recycling is difficult. Rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries, like those in drills or mobile phones, can be recycled www.rebat.com. Other types of battery are more tricky to recycle – the RABITT scheme offers some recycling services. The best plan? Use batteries as little as possible and use rechargeable batteries.

Glass – this is one of the best materials for recycling as it can be recycled again and again, saving energy and raw materials. Before recycling your glass, make sure you wash the bottles and jars, and remove any tops or plastic attachments. Do try to put your glass in the right coloured banks - any contamination will lower the value of the recycled glass.

Garden & kitchen waste - organic waste is the main cause of methane emissions, a powerful greenhouse gas, from landfill sites. Instead of binning it, try composting. It's an easy, satisfying process; not only will your dustbin be less smelly, but you'll be improving your local environment and even saving money in the process. If you don't have a garden to compost in, some local authorities have set up community composting sites. Visit the Community Composting Network or the Composting Association.