Water and recycling: why it matters. Water and recycling go hand in hand - recycling materials like plastic, paper, and metal helps keep our water clean and conserves resources. This Global Recycling Day let’s talk about the simple ways to make a difference.
Keeping water clean
Recycling stops waste from ending up in rivers and oceans. Plastic pollution harms marine life and affects our water supply. By recycling plastic and using less of it, we can help keep water safe.
In the UK, the Refill Campaign encourages people to carry reusable water bottles instead of buying single-use plastic bottles. This reduces plastic waste and protects our waterways.
How recycling saves water
Recycling helps us use less water and energy. Making new products takes a lot of water, but recycling materials reduces this demand. For example, recycling aluminium saves 95% of the energy needed to make it from raw materials, which also cuts down water use.
Find out more at Recycle Now.
Recycling projects that protect water
- There are many initiatives working to improve recycling and protect our water sources:
- Eco-Friendly Businesses: More companies are making products from recycled materials. Learn more at WRAP UK.
- Clean-Up Groups: Community volunteers remove waste from rivers and parks before it pollutes water. Get involved with Keep Britain Tidy.
- Water-Saving Homes: Future homes could save billions of litres of water through smart design and technology. Learn more in the Water-Saving House Guide and read about the impact here.
Simple ways to help
Want to protect water and recycle better? Try these tips:
- Recycle Right – Follow local recycling rules to make sure waste is properly processed. Visit Recycle Now.
- Use Less Plastic – Carry reusable bags, bottles, and cups. See more ideas at Plastic Free July.
- Save Water – Fix leaks, install water-efficient appliances, and use less water. Get tips at Affinity Water's Save Our Streams.
- Recycle in your Home & Garden – After boiling vegetables or pasta, let the water cool and use it for watering plants. You can also collect rainwater for you garden with a water butt and reuse water from washing fruits and vegetables for plants. You can discover all water-saving ideas in your home and garden here.
- Spread the Word – Encourage others to recycle and save water. Share tips you find on our website, social media and any of your own - you can send them to us!
Affinity Water’s commitment to sustainability
We also help people save water through our Save Our Streams campaign. We provide free water-saving tips and devices and support environmental projects to improve water efficiency and reduce waste. You can also learn more about how we reduce our waste through recycling and the initiatives you can follow.
For more sustainability tips and advice, visit our Save Our Streams Blog and check out our Top 10 Water-Saving Tips.
Recycling and saving water go hand in hand. Let’s all do our part for a cleaner, more sustainable future!