How To Dispose of Duvets and Pillows?

In the UK, landfills receive over 14 million pillows, duvets, and mattresses each year. The Environmental Agency (EA) advises using alternative disposal techniques to protect the environment. Consider using an old pillow or duvet around your home before tossing them in the trash.

Additionally, you can give your old or unused pillows and duvets to an animal shelter or a local charity. In this manner, you can avoid throwing these things away and cut down on unwanted items in household. This blog will give detailed information on disposing of duvets and pillows.

Time to replace duvets

A duvet can last from two to five years if it is properly cared for. What it’s made of, how it was made, and how you care for it all affect how long your duvet lasts. Similar to your mattress, it’s more crucial to look at your duvet’s condition rather than its age.

Time to replace duvets

The following indications suggest that you should treat yourself to a new duvet.

The fill is lumpy, uneven, or stiff.
The casing is torn, discoloured, or otherwise harmed.
It smells, and washing doesn’t get rid of it.
When you stayed at a friend’s house or a hotel, you probably noticed how much cosier the duvet was.

Time to change pillows

Pillows endure a lot. They bear the weight of our heads all night long in addition to the moisture we exhale while we sleep and the accumulation of oils from our skin, hair, and personal care products. Because of this, experts advise that we switch out our pillows every one to two years. This is crucial for your health as well as for a more comfortable night’s sleep with better neck and shoulder support.

Can old pillows and duvets be recycled?

Recycling is a popular method that many people use to get rid of unwanted and dated goods. Make sure an item is recyclable before bringing it to the recycling facility for recycling. Duvets and pillows are made of synthetic materials, which are not recyclable, so they cannot be recycled. Because they are made from synthetic fibres and these synthetic fillings are not environmentally friendly.

Can old pillows and duvets be recycled

Duvets cannot be disposed of in the waste recycling bins. Duvets can’t be recycled, so throwing them in the recycle bin could contaminate the rest of the recyclable trash there. Duvets have synthetic fillings, which prevent them from being recycled if they mix with recyclable materials. And landfills would receive the mixture. All recyclable waste ends up in landfills when non-recyclable recyclable waste contaminates it.

What to do with old duvets and pillows?

The better way for duvets and pillows to be disposed of is by being upcycled and repurposed in new ways! Consider your old pillows as the foundation for brand-new home furnishings. You can dispose of them by upcycling like making them as home furnishing reusable things or donating them to shelters.

Donate to animal shelters

Donating your old pillows to animal shelters is the best way to recycle or dispose of them because these facilities are constantly in need of bedding for the animals. Animals frequently sleep on the ground in shelters because there isn’t enough money to buy beds and pillows. It’s awesome to give old pillows to animals in need.

Beach Mat

Old duvets can be used to create a picnic or beach mat. The decision to make it waterproof or not is yours. You must sew a shower curtain liner to one side of the duvet in order to make it waterproof. When you’re outside having a picnic or at the beach, the duvets create a smooth, clean surface you can sit on.

Pet Bed

Making an old pillow and duvet is another creative upcycling idea. An old duvet, scissors, a fishing line, and a sewing machine are required. Lay the duvet on the floor, fold one edge up approximately two-thirds of the way, and leave space on the other side to create a pet bed. After that, make pillows on either side by rolling up the duvet’s two sides.

The sides of the bed can be sewn up using a sewing machine, and the front, where the duvet begins, can then be rolled up. To allow your pet to fit under the duvet, make sure there is space between the end of the pillow and the beginning of the duvet.

Sleeping Bag

An old duvet can also be used to create a sleeping bag. To do that, spread the duvet out on the floor and locate the bottom centre of the centrefold. When the zipper is open, spread the duvet out away from the centre, in any direction. Then, pin the zipper on both sides, about an inch from the bottom centre. Check to see if there is enough room between the zipper’s two edges in the middle. If so, stitch the zipper to the duvet after pinning each side to the fabric and place the old pillow in the centre.

Moving blanket

To protect your furniture when moving it, use old duvets. If you’ve ever wondered how movers move and transfer furniture without scratching or chipping it. Simply wrapping the furniture in the old blankets and fastening them with stretch film is all that is required.

Projector screen

You can use a white duvet as a sizable movie screen if you need to project but do not have access to a projection room. All you need to do to create a home theatre is hang a white duvet from a string with a projector over it.

The white duvet can be used at night to set up an outdoor movie screen. A white duvet can be hung between two trees or fastened to the garden old fence.

Conclusion

Recycling is the best way to get rid of unwanted items, but if you need to get rid of something that can’t be recycled, you can upcycle it. We believe that reading this blog will help you learn more about getting rid of and recycling duvets and pillows. As they say, “Do everything to protect your environment,” we can protect the environment by reusing pillows and duvets rather than contaminating them by combining them with other products. Reach us out if you have any more doubts or want to remove duvets and pillows from your home.

How To Dispose of Old Fire Extinguishers?

To safeguard our homes, we need all the assistance we can receive. Naturally, this also entails obtaining our fire extinguishers if a fire starts. In this manner, we may effectively put out any potential home fires. How are you going to dispose of the old fire extinguisher now? To dispose of it safely would be the obvious response to it. But how can an old fire extinguisher be disposed of properly? The general information you should be aware of properly disposing of your fire extinguisher is provided below.

How To Dispose of Old Fire Extinguishers?

Extinguishers are categorised as hazardous or harmful. As a result, you cannot and should not dispose of them in your bin of regular trash or recycling. Keep in mind that handling pressurised chemicals, such as fire extinguishers, can be dangerous, have to proceed with caution and follow correct disposal procedures.

Make sure to get in touch with your local fire department and ask whether you can drop off any expired fire extinguishers that are full or partially filled at the firehouse to be disposed of. What happens, though, if they reject those? Then you can go ahead and ask your local council if you can transport dangerous items, like fire extinguishers, to a nearby facility for disposing of hazardous garbage.

Domestic Fire Extinguishers

The simplest approach to dispose of domestic fire extinguishers is to drop them off at your neighbourhood waste recycling facility.

Domestic Fire Extinguishers

A common component found in many foam extinguishers, especially older models, is the fluor surfactant PFOA. There is evidence that this affect the environment over time (hence the nickname “forever chemicals”). Therefore, the contents must be disposed of using a licenced waste handler, and they must never be released unless there is a real fire emergency and the runoff can be contained and properly disposed of.

Water & CO2 Extinguishers

As long as you adhere to the guidelines below, you can discharge water or CO2 extinguishers, which turn into scrap metal after the pressure and contents are released.

Water extinguishers: They are the easiest to do because they can be discharged into an open drain.

CO2 extinguishers: They can be released outside in a wide-open area, where the gas will simply dissipate. But be sure to thoroughly read the accompanying caution

If CO2 extinguishers are not equipped with their frost-free horn, they can be highly dangerous to discharge. Never use a CO2 extinguisher without first ensuring that the pipe and horn are secure, as doing so increases the risk of catastrophic injury! Operating the discharge handle of the CO2 extinguisher without the horn installed results in a powerful recoil that has the potential to break bones.

Foam & Powder extinguishers

Foam extinguishers: They are much like water extinguishers, both need to be discharged carefully to prevent unintended contamination. Firefighting foams must be safely disposed of into a dirty sewer rather than groundwater or rainwater drains due to the dangerous compounds in them.

Powder extinguishers: Although powder extinguishers are no longer advised for use in homes, a sizable number of them can nevertheless be found there. Avoiding the trip to the recycling centre is possible by tipping a powder extinguisher on its head and emptying the contents of the dip tube into a fabric bag (for example, the leg of a pair of jeans with the end cut off; this will catch the majority of the powder while letting the pressurised air escape), but be aware that this can be messy! After that, you can properly dispose of the powder in your trash.

Foam & Powder extinguishers

Simply transport them to your local recycling centre for disposal of smaller-scale fire extinguishers, such as a household extinguisher or one or two from a small commercial location. Your extinguisher can be securely locked in a designated holding bin by the personnel here. They can be protected from potential robbers in this way.

Your old extinguisher can then be disassembled for scrap metal or recycled by outside organisations.

Whatever you do, avoid disposing of your fire extinguisher in a regular trash can. They can be recycled.

Business Fire Extinguishers

Old fire extinguishers on commercial property are typically maintained annually, and this is when they are most frequently replaced. Any old or expired extinguishers can typically be removed by the service engineer on site for a modest fee or as part of an existing servicing agreement.

Additionally, many specialised businesses are equipped to collect extinguishers in large quantities for recycling. This will frequently be the most affordable waste disposal option if you find yourself in possession of a lot of old or useless fire extinguishers.

You probably have a fire extinguisher servicing arrangement with an outside company if your business has a large collection of fire extinguishers. The company in question should provide exchange and disposal services for a minimal fee in addition to maintenance. If not, some national waste companies can provide rubbish removal services.

Tips for Disposing or Storing of an Old Fire Extinguisher in Your Backyard

Regardless of the condition, all fire extinguishers must be properly disposed of. Then keep in mind these general pointers!

Always be aware of the location of your fire extinguishers. Having them readily available pays dividends whether you have one at home or many (for workplaces or businesses).
Put it (or them) in a position that is both safe and convenient for you to access.
First Understand how to properly use a fire extinguisher. If you want to learn more about how to use a fire extinguisher properly, look at the PASS term of fire extinguisher.
Using a fire extinguisher, check to see if everything is in order. Is there a blockage in the nozzle? Correct it right away.
Replace your fire extinguisher right away if you notice any rust. A registered fire extinguisher servicing organisation must also pressure test fire extinguishers if six years go by without using one.
When an emergency occurs, contact the appropriate authorities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, we like to say that if you dispose of a small number of fire extinguishers carefully, it is doable. However, if you have a large number, it is advisable to hire a specialist or rely on a reliable servicing business to dispose of your extinguishers.

How Do You Recycle Air Pillow Packaging? – A Complete guide

Packaging serves to safeguard its contents from any harm that might occur during handling, transport, and storage. Throughout the whole logistical chain, from the manufacturer to the final user, packaging keeps the goods in perfect condition. It shields the goods from moisture, light, heat, and other outside elements. Air pillows are one of the packing materials which has less cost-effective and more convenient to use.

What is Air Pillow Packaging?

Air pillows are inflatable bags which is being used to cushion and fill gaps inside packages, much like packing peanuts, to protect goods from damage and prevent them from shifting, crushing, or breaking during delivery, shipment, or handling.

What is Air Pillow Packaging

In addition to being simple to use, Air Pillows occupy less warehouse storage space and are more environmentally friendly than other void fillings. Major organisations as well as smaller businesses are using air pillows as they slowly take over the market.

What Kind of Product is Air Pillow Cushion?

Due to their adaptability, air pillows can be employed in a variety of shipping applications. They are perfect for compact, light goods constructed of various materials. Air pillows are ideal for cushioning and filling holes in packages because of their non-abrasive nature, which also makes them suitable for delicate materials like glass and porcelain.

Since air pillows are often tiny and simply contain air, it is possible to “burst” them. So, they are inappropriate for objects with pointed edges or heavy loads. Air Pillows may assist cushion fragile goods from shock, but they might not be the best packaging material for objects like small figurines that are delicate and prone to breakage. In these circumstances, bubble wrap, which encircles the item itself, might be the best option.

Is Air Pillows Eco-friendly?

The Air Pillows are mostly composed of recyclable high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic, they offer a more environmentally friendly packaging option than the alternatives like wrapping paper, packing peanuts, and styrofoam. Furthermore, not a lot of plastic is used in the production of Air Pillows because they are just little bags filled with air.

Is Air Pillows Eco-friendly

Other packing materials, including wrapping paper, leave behind packaging trash after shipping. The materials used to secure and preserve goods, such as polystyrene and packing peanuts, cannot be recycled or decomposed. Additionally, packing peanuts and polystyrene commonly fly out of trash cans due to their small weight, and have negative impact on the environment. Styrofoam and other packaging materials are particularly challenging to get rid of, because of the crumbles that remain.

Air Pillows are constructed of 99 percent air and just 1 percent film, which produces less waste than these packaging materials and have less environmental impacts. Additionally, they take up little storage space, are recyclable, and are very simple to dispose of. As a result, Air Pillows are more environmentally friendly and a superior packing choice.

Benefits of Using Air Pillows

Using sophisticated air cushion packing devices that can inflate at a rate of 20 metres per minute, uninflated Air Pillows are filled and sealed. Air Pillows are suitable for various shipping requirements as well as various goods and items. In addition, they are less expensive and more convenient than alternative packing materials including pre-inflated bubble wrap.

In addition to these advantages, Air Pillows are light and nearly never contribute weight to freight, saving businesses money on shipping fees. Because they are bought flat and only inflated when necessary, they use less floor space in shipping facilities. Due to the lower cost of transporting Air Pillows compared to heavier items, businesses can reduce their shipping costs.

How Do you Recycle Air Pillow Packaging?

Air Pillows are reusable when packing or putting fragile goods in fragile storage spaces. However, Air Pillows will lose their air pressure and become frayed after a few uses, making them useless. Then those air pillows need to dispose of or get rid of.

The majority of Air Pillows are made of flexible, recyclable plastic film or polymers, comparable to the HDPE or LDPE used in shopping bags. Even though many people simply throw them away, recycling Air Pillows requires a few more procedures.

How Do you Recycle Air Pillow Packaging

Air pillows can be recycled by placing them in the recycling bins that are situated at each block in public housing developments. Before placing the air pillows in the waste recycling bins, don’t forget to remove any paper labels and poke holes in them to let the air out. Another thing to keep in mind is that Air Pillows made of compostable or biodegradable plastic cannot be recycled, so they need to be disposed of appropriately.

Conclusions

It is crucial to ensure that your business supplies packaging materials which are sustainable and environmentally friendly because consumers are moving away from conventional packaging materials in favour of sustainable and eco-friendly substitutes. The company’s dedication to utilising more ecologically friendly packaging will enhance brand recognition and give customers the impression that the business is socially responsible. Long-term financial savings are also achieved by using sustainable and ecologically friendly packaging.

How to Dispose of Old Medication in UK?

The disposal of old medication is a serious issue in the UK, and it is important to understand how to do it correctly. The UK government has put in place regulations to ensure that any old medication is disposed of safely and in a way that won’t harm the environment.

Firstly, when it comes to disposing of old medication, it is important to make sure that it is done in accordance with the UK’s waste regulations. The UK government has made it a legal requirement to dispose of old medication according to the Waste Regulations 2020. This means that all old medication must be taken to a licensed waste disposal site, such as a pharmacy or local authority waste disposal facility.

how to dispose of old medicine

When disposing of old medication, it is important to take precautions to ensure that it is done safely. It is also important to make sure that the medication is clearly labelled with the name of the medication and the date on which it was prescribed. This will help to ensure that it is disposed of correctly.

This blog post will provide an overview of how to dispose of old medication in the UK, including the regulations and guidelines that must be followed.

Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer before disposing

It is important to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer when disposing of old medication. This is because the instructions provided are designed to ensure the safe and secure disposal of the medication, thus avoiding any potential harm to people and prevent any environment impact. In addition, the instructions also ensure that the medication is disposed of in the most effective way possible.

How to dispose of old medication in UK?

Return your unused or expired medication to a pharmacy

Returning your unused or expired medication to a pharmacy is the best way to dispose of old medication. Medication that is expired or no longer needed can be a major public health concern because it can be misused or abused by people who are unaware of the risks associated with taking outdated drugs. It is important to understand the importance of returning unused or expired medications to a pharmacy. By doing so, you can help protect yourself, your family and your community.

Use a drug take–back program

Using a drug take-back program is the best way to dispose of old medication. It is important to safely get rid of unused or expired medication as they can be a potential risk to our health and environment. Drug take-back programs are a safe and easy way to dispose of unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medication.

Use a drug take-back program

These programs are often offered at local pharmacies, hospitals, and police stations and provide a secure and responsible way to safely dispose of medication. Additionally, they are free of charge and help to reduce the risk of drug misuse, abuse, and poisoning.

Furthermore, they also reduce the risk of environmental contamination as medications that are improperly disposed of can enter the water supply and soil. Therefore, drug take-back programs are a safe and convenient way to dispose of old or unused medication.

Dispose of them in a sharps container

If you have any needles or syringes, you should dispose of them in a sharp’s container. These containers can be obtained from your local pharmacy. Once the container is full, it can be taken to a hazardous waste collection site for safe disposal.

Dispose of Medicines Through Local Authority Disposal Service

Dispose of Medicines Through Local Authority Disposal Service is the best way to dispose of old medication. This is because these services are reliable, safe, and free of charge. As medicines are often contaminated with hazardous substances, they must be disposed of properly, as throwing them away can cause affect the environment.

Dispose of Medicines Through Local Authority Disposal Service

Local Authority Disposal Services can ensure that the medicines are disposed of safely, without any risk of contamination. Furthermore, they can provide advice on the best way to store, handle and dispose of medicines. In addition, they are committed to protecting the environment and therefore use the best available technologies to make sure that the medicines are disposed of in an environmentally responsible way. Therefore, using the local authority disposal service is the most eco friendly and secure way to dispose of old medication.

Conclusion

Disposing of old medicine properly is essential to help keep the environment safe and protect our loved ones. In the UK, there are several options available to you when it comes to disposing of old medicine. You can take it to your local pharmacy, or call the National Medicine Disposal Service, and if you live in England or Wales, you can use the NHS mail-back scheme.

No matter which option you choose, it is important to make sure that your old medicine is disposed of safely and responsibly. This will help to protect the environment and ensure that any potentially dangerous medicines are kept out of the wrong hands.