Buy less packaging and then you have less to recycle.
Look for the best materials in packaging that can be recycled.
Glass and cardboard packaging are better than plastic and are far more easily recycled.
Once you start seeing how much cardboard and paper you can recycle you'll realise just how much you bring home with you.
Christmas cards can be recycled.
Either put them in with your normal paper recycling or look out for Christmas card recycling bins at supermarkets.
Glass is easy to recycle and most local councils collect this from your doorstep.
Some plastics can be recycled easily but there are still many types that can't be, or aren't recycled everywhere yet.
The easiest thing to do is stop bringing that sort of plastic home as much as possible.
Plastic carrier bags are often used only once.
Buy stronger bags and reuse them, or reuse your thin plastic bags until they break and then recycle them.
Many supermarkets offer plastic bag recycling.
Avoid taking bags - some countries are actively banning them or charging for them to reduce their use.
Fabric bags or strong bags for life will last for years and have much less impact on the environment.
You can make your own cloth bags by recycling old clothes and stitching them into bags.
Refuse bags in shops! It can take a bit of effort in some shops - but get your own carrier bag ready for when you get to the counter! Most shops won't mind - you're saving them money by not taking a bag after all! When buying eggs buy those in cardboard boxes as this packaging can be easily recycled.
If you know someone near you who keeps hens then ask if they would like you to save them your empty boxes.
Many people will appreciate these and you might get some free eggs out of it too! Milk is best in bottles that can be recycled.
If you don't have a milk man to bring you glass bottles then make sure the milk cartons go in the recycling.
Glass bottles are best though as they are washed and reused which takes less energy than materials being recycled.
Bigger packages usually contain less packaging per amount of product.
By buying the bigger packages you also need to visit the shop less often too which is also good for the environment.
By keeping an eye on what you take home from the shops you can reduce the amount of waste you have to throw away.