Recycling is a really important part of modern day life. We now produce more waste than ever before and recycling can make a huge difference to the environment.

That goes without saying. It is important to make recycling a normal part of family life as soon as you possibly can so that the idea is normalised for children.

It is a lot easier to learn something as a child than to re-learn as an adult.

There are also huge financial benefits to recycling. If you recycle effectively and have a good system in place your waste charges will completely reduce. Simple changes can make a huge difference to your family’s financial situation.

We’ve put together some simple recycling tips that should make it easier for you to make a difference.

1. Get your head around what can and cannot be recycled. If you are putting things into the recycling bin that should not go there you are creating a problem rather than a difference. Someone has to sift through that recycling bin and remove the offending items. You are wasting resources, time and you could also be landed with a penalty fine.

2. How is your bin set up? Invest in a good array of bins. Head to IKEA and stock up on a large bin, a smaller bin and a compact “food bin”. The largest will be the recycling bin. When you are recycling effectively you will be amazed by how quickly the recycling bin fills up and how rarely you have to put the black bin out. Most items are going into the food bin or the recycling bin.

3. Avail of your local bring centre. There are free bring centres around the country in various locations. Check your local county council’s website for the opening hours of yours. Many will have giant recycling bins (which come in very handy when a child in the house has had a birthday and you have accumulated a lot of cardboard and paper) as well as places that you can recycle clothes, batteries and even cooking oil.

4. Rinse packaging before it goes into the recycling bin. To properly recycle the items must be devoid of the sauce/food residue that may be within the packaging. It will also prevent any foul odours. It’s another step but it is necessary to recycle effectively.

5. Pick up some reusable straws and coffee cups to eliminate some of the waste that you acquire. Even if it goes on to be recycled. It’s better to re-use if the option is available to you.

6. Flatten cardboard boxes, milk cartons and anything that can be made more compact so that you can fit more into your recycling bin.

7. You cannot recycle glass and jars in your recycling bin but there are so many options to empty them into a bin at a local bring centre. Your supermarket car park may even have a glass recycling stand. Pick up a box, build them up over time and you should only have to do it every couple of months.

8. Reduce your paper consumption by using the diary/planner on your phone, by switching to e-billing and by adding a “no junk mail” sign to your letterbox. Every little helps.