Last week we focused on how we can be more savvy with food. This week the theme Switch, Swap and Sustain captures the essence of;

• Switching from single-use plastics to eco-friendly alternatives.
• Swapping new clothes for pre-loved items.
• Emphasising sustainable practices like the 3 R’s (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).

It highlights making small, intentional changes that collectively contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. During the month of September we are asking you to join us during the challenge to make changes by choosing a tile on our calendar and working towards ticking it off.

The Three R’s

So, what are the three R’s? They’re the ultimate sustainability trio: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! These are not just buzzwords. They’re powerful actions that each of us can take to make a real difference for our planet.

• Reduce: This is all about cutting back on what we use. Less stuff means less waste! Think before you buy, opt for products with less or no packaging, and be mindful of your energy and water use. It’s the simplest step that has a big impact.
• Reuse: Give items a second life! Instead of throwing things out, find new ways to use them. Up-cycle, re-purpose, or donate items so they don’t end up in the landfill. From shopping second-hand to repairing instead of replacing, reusing keeps resources in circulation and reduces our environmental footprint.
• Recycle: When something’s at the end of its useful life, recycling comes to the rescue. By turning old products into new materials, we conserve resources and cut down on waste. Just remember to recycle right, sort properly* and support products made from recycled content!

On Arran we are lucky to have two great Charity Shops; ArCaS in Brodick across from the ferry terminal and The Eco Savvy Community Store, in Whiting Bay across from The Shore. Our aim at our Community Store is to explore every possibility of reuse for an item before sending it to landfill. Another important thing we do at the community store is through two of our amazing volunteers Alistair and Elizabeth we are able to PAT test. They test the donated electrical products and repair them where needed, which not all charities do. You can bring them in for recycling by dropping them off at the shop and disposing these objects responsibly. We can accept most small electrical items but, unfortunately, not heaters or safety equipment or electric blankets.

Charity shops are not only a great place to donate your unwanted clothes and household items, but they’re also perfect for finding pre-loved treasures. Shopping at charity shops allows you to invest in second-hand clothing and goods, giving them a new life while supporting a circular economy.

Repairing your broken items, or even knowing where to start can be a challenge. That’s where the Arran Repair Cafe comes in! The Arran Repair Cafe (ARC) is a fantastic community resource dedicated to reducing waste, reusing materials, and recycling. ARC also brings people together to share repair skills, empowering the community and enhancing well-being along the way.

By embracing the 3 R’s, you’re not just talking about sustainability, you’re living it!

Circular Economy

In a circular economy, we rethink the process of a linear economy by designing products to be reused, repaired, and recycled. Keeping materials in use for as long as possible.

In a linear economy, resources are taken, used and then discarded, creating a cycle of waste. This cycle of waste is the cause of many of today’s environmental problems, like plastic filled oceans and relies on large quantities of cheap, easily accessible materials and energy.

A circular economy fits in with the aims of Eco Savvy. There are many benefits of switching to a circular economy, like protecting the environment, and a reduction in total annual greenhouse gas emissions.

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them”

Albert Einstien

Easy Swaps to Make

It can be quite daunting not knowing where to start, so why not start small? This week why not swap

• Swap Plastic Produce Bags to Reusable Produce Bags – when shopping for loose fruit and veg either use a reusable net bag or a paper bag. You could also choose to completely omit the bag. Another easy swap would be to always try to shop for loose products first. You can find out more on where to find loose products in Arran in our previous blog post.
• Trade out one type of Single Use Plastic – Swap your disposable coffee cup for a reusable. Most, if not all coffee shops will fill up your own cup for you! Some may even give you a discount!
• Buy Pre-loved – Nothing feels better than scoring an absolute bargain! Plus, when shopping why not drop off a bag of items you no longer use? Buy shopping for goods and clothing in Arran you are also supporting small local businesses and our communities.

Recycling

On Arran, our waste is sorted into two bins – General Waste and Recycling (single stream), where our paper, cardboard, plastic and glass all head off to the mainland in the hopes they are sorted correctly and recycled.

We also have the Brodick Household Waste and Recycling Centre or the coup as we know it. Here you can recycle batteries, fridges and freezers, scrap metal, wood, cooking and engine oil, textiles plus so much more. We also have 14 different mixed recycling bank locations situated around the island. These are suitable for paper, cardboard, plastic containers, glass bottles and jars and food and drink cans.

For our recycling to have the best chance of being properly recycled we must;

• Learn NAC’s recycling rules – this guide here details what can go into your recycling bin at home.
• Clean – clean off any food waste. If items are not rinsed you run the risk of ‘contaminating’ paper items. Food scraps on paper can make it harder to recycle.
• Break down your boxes – Not only does it save space, it makes it easier for the machines to process the cardboard. It’s also good practice to remove tape from cardboard.
• Scrunch your plastic – If its soft, take it to your local Coop and recycle there, if it’s hard it can go in the bin.
• Bigger is always better – when it comes to recycling bottles, always keep the cap on as it makes it more likely to be recycled.
• Foil – Small pieces of foil (like chocolate bar foil, or yogurt lids) are also harder to recycle so I tend to save up any foil until I have enough to roll up into the size of a tennis ball. Once its tennis ball sizes I pop it into the recycling bin.

Sustain

Sustaining the changes you make this September is key to making a lasting impact. Small, consistent actions, like reducing waste, reusing items, and recycling, all add up over time and can significantly reduce your environmental footprint. Plus, sticking with these habits can inspire others, build a more sustainable community, and even improve your own well-being. Let this month be the start of ongoing positive change!

We hope these tips and tricks help you to make a switch, swap or sustain this September. Please do tag us in any of your Sustainable September posts using #SustainableSeptemberAES