Know your recycling and do it right.
It sounds basic, but make sure you’re up to date on what can go in your kerbside recycling bin. Since the district councils merged into the unitary North Yorkshire Council, recycling services are being streamlined – check the website for your local area’s guidelines (e.g. what number plastics are accepted). Clean and sort recyclables to avoid contamination. And don’t forget to use local Household Waste Recycling Centres (in places like Leeming Bar, Scarborough, and Harrogate) for items like electronics, batteries, or scrap metal. A bit of effort ensures these items are recycled properly instead of ending up in a ditch or being burned.

Home compost or community compost.
Roughly one-third of household waste can be composted! If you have a garden, composting food peelings, coffee grounds, and garden clippings reduces waste collection needs and gives you free fertiliser. The North Yorkshire Rotters volunteer group offers great tips and support for home composting and reducing food waste. If home composting isn’t feasible, see if there’s a community compost site or neighbour willing to take your veg scraps (gardeners and chicken-keepers often welcome them). Composting also helps cut methane emissions from landfill – so you’re fighting climate change with a compost bin and a cuppa.

Reduce single-use and packaging.
Bring your own bags, say no to excess packaging, and choose products with less waste. Farm shops and markets are great for this (e.g. eggs in cardboard, loose veg in paper). Many North Yorkshire towns have zero-waste or refill stores — look for eco refill stations in York, Harrogate, or Scarborough, where you can top up on cleaning or food staples with your own containers. Supporting these shops encourages more to appear. Some dairies have even revived glass bottle deliveries, and butchers are usually happy to use your reusable tubs.

Repair, repurpose, donate.
Before binning something broken or unwanted, consider repair or donation. North Yorkshire now hosts Repair Cafés — friendly community events where volunteers fix items for free or a small donation. In Richmond, the Richmondshire Climate Action Partnership runs repair cafés where people have revived lamps, radios, and clothing. These events have appeared in Ripon, Whitby, Malton, and beyond. Charity shops across the county are treasure troves — donate what you no longer need and browse for “pre-loved” bargains. As the team at Circular Malton & Norton says, “pre-loved products are increasingly attractive to all ages.”

Safe disposal of the rest.
For waste you can’t avoid, dispose of it properly. Hazardous items like paint or chemicals require special drop-off centres — use them. Never fly-tip: it damages our beautiful countryside and is illegal. If you hire a tradesperson, ensure they’re licensed to remove waste. North Yorkshire Council works with parish councils on fly-tipping prevention and reporting. Take pride in keeping your community clean. And if you join in a local litter pick (maybe with your local “Wombles” group), you’ll quickly see how much waste is avoidable — especially single-use plastics.