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NOT a load of rubbish

The waste hierarchy

The waste hierarchy gives the top priorities to prevent waste. It ranks waste management options against what’s best for the environment.

When waste is created, you should give priority to:

  1. reduce
  2. reuse and repair
  3. recycle
  4. energy recovery
  5. disposal 

Reducing waste and why it’s important

There are carbon emissions associated with everything you buy. The best thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint is reduce the amount of things you buy.

To reduce your waste you should:

  • consider if you need to replace or replenish something instead of buying new
  • use rechargeable batteries 
  • buy produce with no packaging
  • bring your own bag
  • use reusable containers when buying lunch 
  • reduce paper usage by switching to digital
  • swap disposable coffee cups for reusable ones
  • use reusable kitchenware

Reduce your food waste

In Jersey around 35% of our household waste is food or kitchen waste.

To reduce this:

  • follow recipes that use leftovers, which also saves you money
  • check best before dates on food
  • compost your food waste
  • download and use apps such as Olio Jersey or Kitch

Domestic food waste digesters

The Government of Jersey recently offered a discounted household food waste digester. This offer has now closed. 

Using a food waste digester will help you reduce the amount of food and kitchen waste you put in your bin. 

Reusing items and recycling

Many items can be reused by being:

  • repaired
  • upcycled
  • hired
  • replaced
  • donated

If you have to buy new, consider:

  • the materials the product is made from
  • if the product is made from recycled or recyclable materials
  • if the product is transported from across the world
  • if you can buy the product second hand

Recycling is often the default option but we still use energy to return the recyclable material into the supply chain. Although recycling is still a better alternative than the waste bin.

Find out what is recyclable in Jersey and where on the A to Z recycling finder.

Parish recycling collection and facilities

What waste and climate change mean for Jersey

In Jersey our household and commercial waste is sent to the Energy Recovery Facility. In 2022 we burnt 70,676 tonnes of waste.

Burning waste creates carbon emissions which contribute to climate change. It also produces an ash called incinerator bottom ash, which has to be shipped to the UK for specialist recycling.

Embodied carbon

Embodied carbon is the total amount of greenhouse gases produced in the manufacturing of a product. Greenhouse gases will likely have been produced at every stage of production and in transporting the product to you.

Embodied carbon includes:

  • what products are made of, including extracting raw materials
  • how the resources used in manufacture were created
  • the manufacturing process
  • transportation

These emissions are accounted for in the carbon emissions reporting in the country of manufacture. In Jersey, these embodied emissions are our scope 3 emissions. 

Jersey’s climate change strategy

The principle 1 in our Carbon Neutral Strategy says it's important that we understand the impact our local choices have across the world to be better prepared in reducing our emissions. This includes our scope 3 emissions, because these emissions are created on our behalf in the manufacturing of the goods and services off-Island.

The Carbon Neutral Roadmap is Jersey’s long-term climate action plan. In the Roadmap policy OE1 promotes low-carbon lifestyles. Reducing what we use and waste, reduces waste as well as embodied carbon emissions.

Waste audits for businesses and management

A waste audit can help businesses understand what waste they produce. The waste audit guide gives you the information and resources you’ll need to carry out your audit. 

Carrying out a waste audit will:

  • help the business understand how much waste it produces
  • help understand the type of waste you can reduce or reuse and how much waste you separate for recycling
  • help the business identify what is going well and what needs improving
  • give the business information to measure improvements against

Use the following documents to help your business reduce its waste.

Guide to carrying out a waste audit

It's NOT a load of rubbish poster

Not in this bin poster

Running a waste audit campaign at your workplace

As part of your waste audit you can:

  • watch eco active waste audit on YouTube
  • get business management on board
  • carry out your audit
  • record your findings. You can use our sample monitoring form
  • identify your improvements and create an action plan
  • tell your colleagues about the audit and the improvements that will be made

Waste audit guidance instructions

Waste management 

Certain types of waste can be hazardous or difficult to handle and need different recovery or disposal methods. This is because they present a greater risk to the environment and human health. 

If you run a business, you’re responsible for making sure your waste is stored, transported, treated, recovered and disposed of safely.

For more information on waste management and licensing.

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