Each year, the average family throws out half a tonne of rubbish. With landfill space running seriously low, we have to ask ourselves what we can do to change our disposable lifestyles.

Try setting yourself a limit, such as one sackful a week. Thi s may seem like an impossible target but if you stop and think every time you go to throw out something and follow some of the tips below, soon you might find you actually bin a lot less.

If you recycle already, you know this can make an enormous difference. Most councils collect paper, cardboard, glass and cans from your door, but so much more than this can also be reused.

Removing cosmetic, drink, milk and detergent bottles from your bin will leave it feeling a lot lighter. PET, HDPE and PVC bottles pots and tubs can be recycled in the UK, so find out from your council if there are local facilities to take your plastics.

Another way to reduce the amount of plastic bottles thrown out is to reuse them. Some smaller retailers offer a refilling service for things like washing up liquid, fabric softener, shower gels, etc.

Ecover produces environmentallyfriendly cleaners and many of its products are available as refills.

Oxford School of Reflexology in Wheatley offers a refilling service.

Go to www. therapy-school. co. uk for more information.

Farm shops and independent health food stores may also offer a refilling service, so ask your local stockist.

Start a compost bin in your garden. Keep a small 'grot pot by the kitchen sink (any container with a lid is suitable). Encourage your family to put all food waste into it (peelings, fruit skins and cores, teabags, stale bread, egg shells, etc) and once a day take it out to the compost heap.

If you forgot your reusable bags when you did the supermarket shop and had to take carriers, don t throw them away. Use them in your bin instead of buying liners.

While at the supermarket, don t pick up things with unnecessary packaging and buy loose fruit and vegetables rather than those in plastic or polystyrene trays Instead of buying freezer bags, reuse margarine pots to store leftovers and invest in a lunchbox with compartments for sandwiches instead of wrapping them in clingfilm.

If you receive a present in a pretty bag, keep it and then use it when you are giving a gift. Just remember to remove the old name tag first.

If you enjoy a take-away coffee on the way to work, buy yourself a thermal travel mug instead of throwing out a paper cup every day.

Some coffee shops have them for sale and offer a small discount to customers each time they use it.

If you or the kids have a drink on the go while out shopping, don t throw the cans or bottles in the bin, but wait until you get home and put them in your recycling.

The average baby uses more than 5,000 nappies from birth to potty and disposable nappies make up almost three per cent of all household waste. By using cotton nappies, not only will you reduce the amount thrown away, but you ll also save yourself a small fortune.

With no safety pins in sight, the campaign for real nappies is taking off. These days they are simple to use and are available in modern styles that fasten easily with poppers, Velcro or nifty little plastic grips so it fits your baby snugly.

A liner is used inside a washable cotton nappy to keep your baby dry.

Two types of liner are available - washable or flushable biodegradable types. To prevent leaks most nappies are covered with a breathable waterproof cover.

Before you throw something out, consider if it could be reused. Old clothes, shoes, bags, books, toys, anything in a reasonable condition, can go to a charity shop.

If old T-shirts are not suitable for reselling, cut them up and use them as dusters, dish clothes or rags.

The Furniture Store, Oxford, collects reuseable furniture, electrical appliances and other household items, and then redistributes them to people on benefits and low incomes.

Call 01865 763698 or e-mail furniture@ocva. org. uk.

The Oxford Freecycle (TM) Network is open to all in the local area who would prefer to recycle to others, rather than throw away unwanted items. For more information, go to http: //groups. yahoo. com/ group/oxfordfreecycle/ Junk mail can be recycled but it would be better for the environment if less of it was produced in the first place. You can limit the amount of mail you get by registering online at www. mpsonline. org. uk/mpsr/ If you re thinking or going on holiday, do your research online rather than getting brochures. The same goes for buying things - browse online, don t pick up catalogues.

And lastly, buy products made from recycled material such as toilet tissue, envelopes, peat-free compost, etc and consider buying second-hand goods from the classified section in your local newspaper