Textiles.

More than half of the clothing thrown away could be recycled.

Most charity shops deal with clothing for re-sale, or you could take your unwanted clothing to clothing banks. Some councils also take textiles in doorstep recycling collections.

• Find out how to recycle textiles
• Find a local charity shop

Batteries.

Using re-chargeable batteries is a very effective way to reduce waste. Car batteries can be recycled and should be taken to your local council household waste site. Although facilities for recycling other types of battery are not widespread, some councils now have collection schemes and some manufacturers and retailers will take old batteries back. If you cannot find some where to recycle your old batteries it is important to dispose of them correctly as they can contain hazardous substances that can damage the environment.

• Find out how to recycle batteries
• Disposal of hazardous waste

Mobile phones.

Handsets are designed to last many years - try to keep yours longer by avoiding unnecessary upgrades. When you do need to dispose of your mobile phone, there are an increasing number of options for recycling and re-using them. Many phone shops will now take back old handsets for recycling, and there are organisations and charities that accept mobiles for refurbishment and recycling.

• Find out how to recycle mobile phones

Printer cartridges.

Many charities and workplaces collect print cartridges for refilling and more than a third of those used each year are already re-manufactured.

• Find out more about refilling printer cartridges

Other items.

An average family can double or even treble the amount they recycle. Most councils run doorstep collections for paper, glass and plastics, and sometimes more recyclable materials. Local civic amenity sites can also accept many other materials for recycling - everything from wood, shoes, textiles and TVs, to electrical equipment, light bulbs and fridges/freezers.

A wide range of other things can be recycled. You can find out more from the Recycle Now campaign.

• A to Z index of what can be recycled and how

Reduce waste.

Recycling can help save materials and energy, but cutting down on waste in the first place is even better - for example, avoid excess packaging and unnecessary carrier bags, or buy products which you can use again instead of disposable items.

• Reducing waste, re-using and repairing

Re-use and repair.

Repairing or re-using items means that they will last longer and won′t need replacing with new items so soon. Even when you have finished with something, someone else will often be able to use it : why not sell it, give it to charity or pass it on via sharing schemes like Freecycle or Local Exchange Trading Systems (LETS)?

• Reducing waste, re-using and repairing

Compost your garden and kitchen waste.

More than a third of household rubbish is organic, including garden and kitchen waste. If sent to landfill, organic waste produces methane which has strong climate change effects. If it is composted then these climate change impacts can be avoided and valuable space in landfill sites will be saved.

• Composting and disposing of garden and kitchen waste

Safely and responsibly dispose of hazardous waste items.

Some items contain hazardous materials and need to be carefully disposed of to avoid environmental problems like water pollution. For example, paint, batteries, electrical equipment and oil need to be disposed of at a proper facility.

• Disposal of hazardous waste

Buy recycled products.

Products made from recycled goods save raw materials and complete the circle by increasing demand for recycled materials. As well as paper products, you can buy recycled household and fashion items such as shoulder bags, plastic trays, pencil cases and aluminium foil.

• Buying recycled products