You can use these links to find out more about waste and other environmental issues in Scotland and the rest of the UK. A wide range of organisations can provide useful information and services to help you Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Select a category from the links filter to see links relating to a specific topic.
All Links
ActionAid Recycling - www.actionaidrecycling.org.uk
ActionAid Recycling collect empty printer, photocopier and fax cartridges, and unwanted mobile phones, and donate the profits to the charity ActionAid, who work with over 9 million of the world`s poorest people.
All Things Eco - www.allthingseco.co.uk
The Green Pages that lists hundreds of companies from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales (with just a few abroad!) that support the environment and sustainable living.
BabyGROE - www.babygroe.co.uk
BabyGROE is a UK charity helping parents make natural choices, which includes promoting real nappies and providing tips on how families can reduce their impact on the environment.
Banana Green - www.bananagreen.com
Banana Green offer a mobile phone recycling service where you can sell your phone via a freepost envelope and get the cash sent back to you. Banana Green the arrange for the phone to be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way or reconditioned for reuse.
Bits and Bobs Scrapstore - www.bitsandbobsscrapstore.org.uk
Bits and Bobs is a social enterprise that aims to create employment for people with disabilities in a recycling business and related environmentally friendly ventures. Bits and Bobs collects safe, clean waste materials such as paper, cork, fabric, paint and sticky back plastic from a wide variety of businesses across Edinburgh. These are then sorted and displayed to be picked up cheaply by our members at the scrapstore.
Bonnie-Babies - www.bonnie-babies.com
Bonnie-Babies, based in Dundee, provides nappy and baby products and helps newcomers to the world of reusable nappies to navigate their way through the range of nappies and related products available. Following testing at home, only nappies that Bonnie-Babies are happy to recommend appear on this site.
Bright New Scotland - www.brightnewscotland.org.uk
Bright New Scotland are a team of environmental specialists and qualified teachers who can help with all aspects of environmental education. Visit the website for advice, ideas and resources covering all aspects of environmental education.
British Eco - www.britisheco.com
The British Eco website sells a range of solar powered, garden, eco friendly and outdoor products, including home composting equipment.
BTCV - www.btcv.org
The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) is a charity involved in creating better environments where people feel valued, included and involved.
By Nature - www.bynature.co.uk
The By Nature website offers a wide range of products made with respect for care of the environment and for the people that produce them. It also contains useful advice and information on making choices for a greener lifestyle.
CIWEM - www.ciwem.org
The Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) is the leading professional and examining body for scientists, engineers, other environmental professionals, students and those committed to the sustainable management and development of water and the environment.
CIWM - www.ciwm.co.uk
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) is the leading professional body for waste and resource management.
Climate Challenge Fund - www.itsourfuture.co.uk/climate_challenge_fund
The Climate Challenge Fund aims to help Scottish communities make a real difference by significantly reducing their carbon emissions. Grants are available to empower communities to take action to reduce their carbon footprint and make a real difference to the local and national environment.
Collect4Uni - www.collect4Uni.co.uk
Collect4Uni is a free printer cartridge recycling scheme for universities and further education establishments which pays the student organisations for cartridges that can be remanufactured.
Community Re>Paint - www.communityrepaint.org.uk
Community Re>Paint is a network of paint reuse schemes across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, collecting leftover domestic paint from householders and the paint industry for redistribution to organisations and individuals in social need.
Compost Guide - www.compostguide.com
The Compost Guide website provides a comprehensive guide to what and how to compost, including troubleshooting and how to use finished compost.
Composters.com - www.composters.com/main_comp.html
Composters.com has a wide array of products, from compost bins, rain barrels and wood chippers, to various other environmentally friendly accessories. Products are constructed from 100% recycled materials and are available in many different designs.
COSLA - www.cosla.gov.uk
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) is the representative voice of Scottish local government and acts as the employers’ association on behalf of all Scottish councils.
Count on it - www.count-on-it.co.uk
Count On It is an easy to use, food freshness label which takes the guesswork out of freshness at a glance, to help consumers make the most of the food they buy and waste less of it.
CREW - www.foe-scotland.org.uk/crew
CREW (Communities Reducing Excess Waste) is a national project taking action to turn the tide on Scotland’s rubbish mountain. This exciting campaign is looking for volunteers to become Waste Prevention Champions. Champions will be provided with all the necessary training, tools, knowledge, ideas and support to promote waste prevention in their local community.
CRNS - www.crns.org.uk
The Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS) provides support and information for community groups involved in recycling, reuse, composting, reduction and waste education.
DEFRA - www.defra.gov.uk
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) works for the essentials of life - food, air, land, water, people, animals and plants. Their remit is the pursuit of sustainable development - weaving together economic, social and environmental concerns.
Dumb Dumpers - www.dumbdumpers.org
The Dumb Dumpers website provides information on what you can do if you see waste being dumped illegally. It also provides background information about the Scottish Fly Tipping Forum.
e4s - www.e4s.org.uk
Education for sustainability (e4s) provide teaching resources and activities on environmental topics including waste management.
Earth Huggers - www.earth-huggers.com
The Earth Huggers webistes offers a wide range of recycled and other ethical products to buy online. 25% of all Earth Huggers` profits go to environmental and humanitarian aid projects around the world.
Earthworks - www.earthworks-jobs.com
Earthworks is a world leading portal of job and career opportunities for waste management professionals with particular focus on the UK, Europe, North America, Africa and the Pacific Rim.
Eco-Congregation - www.ecocongregation.org
Eco-congregation is an ecumenical programme to help congregations understand environmental issues and make appropriate practical and spiritual responses. The programme is free of charge and very flexible, as each congregation has different opportunities for change.
Eco-Essentials - www.eco-essentials.co.uk
The Eco-Essentials website offers many eco-friendly products for sustainable living, including many reusable products. The Eco-Essentials help to protect the planet by reducing waste, carbon emissions and pollution, and by saving natural resources, water, oil and energy.
Ecohip - www.ecohip.net
Ecohip offer green tips, eco and natural products as well as a range of ethical books and gift ideas.
Ecotivity - www.ecotivity.com
Ecotivity is a review and directory website that promotes green and ethical consumerism, fairtrade and eco-lifestyles.
Ecotopia - www.ecotopia.co.uk
An eco website for socially responsible shopping offering a wide selection of environmentally friendly, fairly traded and recycled products from gifts to homeware, garden goods, baby accessories, glassware, wind up gadgets, children`s toys to books and eco friendly cleaning products.
eFreeko - www.efreeko.co.uk
eFreeko is a UK-wide website that allows you to post unwanted items that can be reused by others, and to search for other people`s unwanted items that you can reuse. Everything on the site is offered for free, but you can charge for postage and packaging.
Encams - www.encams.org
ENCAMS is an environmental charity that campaigns directly to the public, best known for the Keep Britain Tidy campaign, which has been running for over fifty years.
Enjo - www.enjo.co.uk
Enjo offer chemical free cleaning products for all areas of a household with minimal packaging.
Environment & Greener Living Guide - www.direct.gov.uk/greenerliving
The online guide to greener living, from the UK government, is designed to help people living in England who want to find out what they can do in their everyday lives to tackle climate change and other environmental issues. The guide includes actions that can be taken covering the home, shopping, travel, food and drink, waste and recycling, energy and water saving, gardening, as well as being green in the workplace, school and community.
Environmental Research Web - environmentalresearchweb.org
An open-access website to help keep scientists, policymakers and campaigners up to the minute with the latest news and views on environmental science from around the globe. The site`s covers everything from climate change to biodiversity, from renewable energy to pollution, from economics to environmental legislation, and from health issues to sustainability.
Envirowise - www.envirowise.gov.uk
Envirowise in Scotland offers Scottish businesses free, independent, confidential advice and support on practical ways to increase profits, minimise waste and reduce environmental impact.
ESA - www.esauk.org/legislation/
The Environmental Services Assocation (ESA) website provides a useful, comprehensive overview of environmental legislation and policy.
ESDP - www.esdp.org.uk
The Edinburgh Sustainable Development Partnership (ESDP) involves a range of statutory, voluntary and private sector organisations which come together to promote sustainable development across the City of Edinburgh.
Fair Grounds - www.fair-grounds.org.uk
Fair Grounds is a UK based Social Enterprise Company promoting ethical consumer choice. You can purchase a range of recycled products from this website, including table mats, coasters, photo frames, earrings and necklaces made from recycled newspaper.
free2collect - www.free2collect.co.uk
The free2collect site allows you to browse for unwanted items that you could reuse, or post your own items for others to take off your hands - and everything is free2collect.
Freecycle (TM) - www.freecycle.org
The Freecycle Network (TM) provides individuals and non-profit organisations with an electronic forum to "recycle" unwanted items by donating them to others for Reuse.
GRAB - www.grab.org.uk
The Group for Recycling in Argyll & Bute (GRAB) Trust is a not for profit organisation with a charitable status, formed in 1993 to address waste and recycling issues in Argyll & Bute. GRAB undertakes a wide range of waste & recycling activities, working with schools, the general public, local community recycling groups and businesses.
Green Books - www.greenbooks.co.uk
Green Books sells books on recycling, composting and other environmental and cultural issues, most of which are printed on 100% recycled paper.
Green Depot - www.greendepot.co.uk
The Green Depot website is aimed at helping small and medium sized businesses to "go green". From Ecotopia, working closely with Ecover, the site offers the full range of Ecover products including the newest B2B range at full trade prices.
Green Guide Online - www.greenguide.co.uk
You can use the Green Guide website to search for organic, natural, ethical and eco-friendly services or products, purchase the Green Guides, subscribe to Pure Living magazine, catch up on the latest eco news and events, and much more.
Greenbox - www.greenbox.ie
The Greenbox is emerging as Ireland`s first genuine ecotourism destination with a set of standards based on sound environmental practices highlighting all that the region and its people has to offer. As Ireland`s first integrated ecotourism destination, the area of the Greenbox includes Counties Fermanagh, Leitrim, West Cavan, North Sligo, South Donegal and North West Monaghan.
GreenGonzo - www.greengonzo.com
GreenGonzo is an initiative that aims to reduce waste and promote the reuse of goods and materials. By registering for free, anyone can post adverts offering to give away things they no longer need, but may be of use to others. Anyone who wishes can use the search tool to find out what is being given away by people in their area.
Hire Hub (The) - www.thehirehub.co.uk
The Hire Hub is a community marketplace for hiring almost anything between members. Rather than having to buy the thing you need, you can now hire it from a fellow member. If you`ve got your own things then you can hire them out and earn some money from them.
IEMA - www.iema.net
The Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA) is a not-for-profit membership organisation whose primary aim is to promote the goal of sustainable development. The IEMA provides environmental practitioners and professionals of all levels with advice, support and assistance to ensure that the methods they use and the knowledge they receive are in line with current best practice guidelines in environmental management and assessment.
It`s Our Future - www.itsourfuture.co.uk
It`s Our Future is a major Scottish Government communications campaign to get people thinking about their legacy for future generations. It aims to encourage more people, especially parents and children, to think now about the steps we can all take to live within our environmental means.
Keep Scotland Beautiful - www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org
Keep Scotland Beautiful is an environmental charity which aims to achieve litter free and sustainable environments by co-ordinating a number of programmes, including the Blue Flag award scheme, Eco Schools, Eco Congregation and People & Places
Kids Against Waste - www.kidsagainstwaste.org
As part of the Wake Up To Waste campaign in Northern Ireland, the Kids Against Waste website contains lots of useful information about waste, plus interactive recycling journeys, games and a waste quiz.
Lakeland Limited - www.lakeland.co.uk
The Lakeland Limited website sells a range of household goods, including recycled products for the home and garden, and recycling and composting aids.
LARAC - www.larac.org.uk
The Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) is the leading national local authority organisation promoting waste reduction and recycling.
Let’s Recycle - www.letsrecycle.com
The letsrecycle.com website provides a range of information, including recycling and waste management news and clubrecycle, the UK’s top recycling chat room.
Little Rotters Composting Club - www.littlerotters.org.uk
Little Rotters is a website designed for primary schools to provide teachers with practical information and advice that helps to inspire and build the skills and confidence needed to start a Little Rotters Club and get composting in school. Free Little Rotters Composting Handbooks can be ordered online.
Living Soil - www.livingsoil.co.uk
Living Soil provides all natural, probiotic-based products for home and garden, human health, agriculture, waste and septic treatment, and environmental sustainability.
LUMA - www.lumadirect.com
LUMA offers organic and fair trade bed, bath and baby products made ethically by supporting socially-responsible companies.
Master Composter - www.mastercomposter.com
The Master Composter website provides information on how to compost, how to use finished compost, the benefits of composting, what to compost, and many other topics relating to home composting.
MRW - www.mrw.co.uk
Materials Recycling Week (MRW) delivers news, in depth features and the latest product developments in the UK recycling and waste management industry. It also features coverage and analysis of materials prices, up-to-date information on legislative changes, developments in the machinery and vehicle sector, and all the latest job opportunities in the UK market. All the information in the magazine can be accessed by subscribers on this website.
Natural Discovery - www.naturaldiscovery.co.uk
Natural Discovery have re-thought the UK holiday experience and have created breaks with a real difference - a good quality break for you and a break for our environment. On a Discovery Break you can find out what makes an area really special, and can enjoy the best of the local environment, attractions and activities. Also, see their website for our range of innovative environmentally friendly home products.
NetRegs - www.netregs.gov.uk
The NetRegs website gives plain language guidance for businesses on environmental legislation and how to comply with it.
Network (The) - www.sepa.org.uk/waste/information__resources/the_network.aspx
SEPA has developed The Network with the aim of bringing together waste education practitioners from across Scotland and encouraging regular communication, coordination and networking opportunities. The Network website provides information on the latest educational resources, updates on policy, and an overview of the national picture on waste education.
NHHWF - www.nhhwf.org.uk
The National Household Hazardous Waste Forum (NHHWF) is a stakeholder-led initiative to seek practical solutions to the many problems associated with the management of household hazardous waste (HHW), including collection, recycling and safe disposal.
Nigel`s Eco Store - www.nigelsecostore.com
Nigel`s sells eco-friendly stuff that can help anyone live in a more sustainable way, and so make a positive contribution to a better and brighter future. The range includes, eco gifts, eco cleaning, eco furniture, eco kids and more...
Now Recycle - www.nowrecycle.co.uk
Nowrecycle - Suppliers of robust containers (quality recycling bins, gardening equipment, compost bins and kitchen bins) for the environment.
Organic Resource Agency - www.o-r-a.co.uk
The Organic Resource Agency works with local authorities, commercial producers of organic waste, waste management companies and farmers on the collection and composting of organic waste, and on compost marketing and end users.
Overpackaging.com - www.overpackaging.com
This website aims to question the over-use of packaging firstly by naming the perpetrators and secondly by asking the retailers and manufacturers to explain themselves. You can take a look in your shopping basket, photograph the worst offenders and send your pictures in to be featured on the site.
rag-and-bone - www.rag-and-bone.co.uk
Rag-and-bone offers a way of recycling large or bulky items that have no longer need and are too good to simply throw. It provides an economical and effortless way to recycle unwanted, but still usable or repairable, household items.
Recoup - www.recoup.org
Recoup is the UK's leading authority on plastics waste management, providing expertise and guidance to a wide range of clients across the plastics supply, use and disposal chain.
Recycle More - www.recycle-more.co.uk
Recycle More is the one-stop recycling information centre where you can find help and advice on all aspects of recycling at home, at school and in the workplace.
Recycle Plastic - www.recycleplastic.org.uk
The WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) Recycle Plastic website is aimed at businesses either looking to recycle their unwanted plastics, or looking to buy recycled plastic to include in their processes.
Recycle This - www.recyclethis.co.uk
How can I Recycle This? is a website that provides creative ideas for reusing and recycling random stuff. New items are added regularly and you can share your ideas with other users.
Recycled Stores - www.recycledstores.co.uk
Recycled Stores provides a range of biodegradable and recycled promotional goods that can be branded for campaigns and events. These range from biodegradable pens containing flower seeds, to organic cotton shopping and gym bags. Recycled carrier bags and paper bags can also be supplied for point of sale.
RecycleMate - www.recyclemate.co.uk
RecycleMate is a new, easy and hygienic way to sort and store household waste. It takes all types of household waste, from food waste to plastic, glass and paper. RecycleMate fits in any kitchen, as a built-in or stand-alone unit in place of a rubbish bin. Slide-out drawers and attachable wheeled buggy make it easy to put recycling out for collection or to take it to the recycling centre.
Recycling Guide - www.recycling-guide.org.uk
The Recycling Guide website emphasises the importance of recycling and provides advice on how you can recycle at home and at school, and how to recycle different materials. The guide also has an easy to follow useful tips section.
redeem - www.redeemplc.com
redeem is the international leader in the recovery, recycling, buying and supplying of used printer cartridges and mobile phones. They specialise in providing substantial revenue streams to charities, NGOs, schools, community groups and commercial organisations.
Reuze - www.reuze.co.uk
Reuze aims to bring together the three parts of the recycling problem. Those with waste to recycle, organisations that reuse that waste and products made from recycled waste.
RoWAN - www.rowanweb.org.uk
The Ross-shire Waste Action Network (RoWAN) is a community group that aims to involve local people and organisations in improving waste management in Ross-shire.
SCI Scotland - www.sci-scotland.org.uk
The Sustainable Communities Initiative (SCI) is a charity that builds Zero Waste communities by building and creating with waste and demonstrating the Earthship concept.
SEPA - www.sepa.org.uk
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) aims to provide an efficient and integrated environmental protection system for Scotland and this website contains a range of useful information including current figures relating to waste and recycling.
SESA - www.esauk.org/scotland
The Scottish Environmental Services Association (SESA) represents Scotland`s waste management and secondary resources industry. SESA works with partners in Scotland`s public and private sectors to implement the national waste strategy and develop economically and environmentally sustainable waste management.
Shanks Group - www.shanks.co.uk
Shanks Group plc is a modern waste and resource management company serving customers in the UK, Belgium and Holland. Shanks offers a wide and often innovative range of waste management solutions within its various collection, transport, recycling, treatment and disposal services.
SISP - www.thirdwave.org.uk/sisp
The Scottish Industrial Symbiosis Programme (SISP) facilitates long term collaboration between organisations to enable the sharing or trading of unused resources for business and environmental benefits.
Softbots - www.softbots.co.uk
The Softbots website offers a wide range of real nappies and natural baby products. It also aims to provide accurate, easy to understand facts about real nappies and infomation on how they can benefit both you and your child.
SSN - www.sustainable-scotland.net
The Sustainable Scotland Network (SSN) brings together practitioners from Scotland’s local authorities to share experience and take action on sustainable development.
Supreme Creations - www.supreme-creations.co.uk
Supreme Creations is the UK`s number one printer and manufacturer of Organic and Fairtrade promotional, packaging and retail textiles. Supreme is an environmentally aware manufacturer of printed textiles, specialising in Reusable, Organic, Sustainable and Ethical (ROSE) products.
Sustainable UK - www.sus-uk.com
Sustainable UK Limited is a not-for-profit company that aims to help individuals integrate sustainability into their lifestyle.
TheFreeBay.org - www.thefreebay.org
TheFreeBay.org is a portal for users to offer items that they no longer use or need for free to others who visit the site. This means that items that would otherwise gather dust or end up in a landfill are ‘recycled’ and put to use by others.
Thinkcans.com - www.thinkcans.com
Thinkcans.com is the website of Novelis Recycling, the leading recycler of used aluminium beverage cans. It contains a range of useful information about aluminium can recycling.
Time2Change - www.time2changeuk.com
Real nappies, wraps, liners and wipes including Mother-ease, Nature Babies, Tots Bots, Ella`s House and Nappy Nation. Free P&P on all UK website orders.
Urbancomposting - www.urbancomposting.com
A selection of compost bins, wormeries, information, FAQ`s and accessories, applicable to composting in urban environments. The links can be use as a central composting resource.
Waste Aware Business - www.wasteawarebusiness.org.uk
Any business based in Scotland can use the Waste Aware Business website and Business Recycling Directory to access information about local and national recycling and reuse services from a range of service providers.
Waste Aware Love Food - www.wasteawarelovefood.org.uk
Meet and get tips from our food waste champions, who are supporting the Love Food Hate Waste campaign in each of the four key areas - planning and preparation, storing food, recipe ideas and portioning. Find practical things that you can do to avoid food waste, including tips and recipes from some of Scotland’s tops chefs and food writers.
Waste Aware Schools - www.wasteawareschools.org.uk
Find out how you can reduce, reuse and recycle your waste at School. Find lots of fun waste facts and ideas to get creative. Also, any school in Scotland can use the Recycling Directory to find services for waste reuse and recycling.
Waste Solutions - www.wastesolutions.org
Waste Solutions is a new web centre for urban waste management officers, policy makers and experts. It offers information on good practices, projects, publications, links and tools on sustainable waste management and waste avoidance.
Waste Watch - www.wastewatch.org.uk
Waste Watch work with community organisations, local and national government encouraging the environmental benefits of waste minimisation and recycling.
WEEE Partnership (The) - www.weeep.org
The WEEE Partnership collects disused electrical and electronic equipment for repair, refurbishment or recycling and can arrange collections if you have several items for uplift, eg office IT equipment.
WEN - www.wen.org.uk
The Women's Environmental Network (WEN) is a campaigning organisation that represents women and campaigns on issues that link women, environment and health.
Wise Group - www.thewisegroup.co.uk
The Wise Group is a charitable organisation that helps unemployed people back into work through projects with a strong community regeneration focus.
WRAP - www.wrap.org.uk
The Waste and Resources Action Programme`s mission is to accelerate resource efficiency by creating stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products, while removing barriers to waste minimisation, reuse and recycling.
