This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and deliver personalised ads. By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
The term “cost of living crisis” is getting thrown around a lot at the moment, but you don’t need to read the news to be aware of the effects. From electricity and fuel to food and toiletries, everything seems to be more expensive at the moment, but that doesn’t mean we can’t come up with ways to save money and mitigate the effects!
In this article, the Brown Recycling team will be sharing some tips around upcycling and reuse that can help you make the most of what you already have.
One of the biggest problems that we as consumers face is that we’re constantly in an upgrade mindset. The marketing that we absorb daily is constantly trying to entice us with the latest new thing, whether it be a phone, a toothbrush, a sofa – you name it. We encounter adverts for new products multiple times daily, and over time this has an effect. We get an itch to upgrade what we already have.
However, if you want to do both the planet and your wallet a favour, resist the urge. This means choosing to repair your phone when it’s worse for wear, or simply choosing to stick with it despite the new shiny devices in the window.
Similar to recycling, upcycling is about taking products that you or someone else no longer have a use for, and turning them into something you do. Unlike recycling, however, you don’t actually break the product down and reform it at a recycling facility, instead you use the structure of the item more or less as it is, and then subtly change some key things about it.
A good example of an upcycling project might be to take a chest of drawers and turn it into a planter. This could involve stripping away the draws and some of the frame and using each section as a shelf.
The beauty of upcycling is that there really aren’t any rules – just find something that you no longer have a use for, and let your imagination run wild!
Something that has really gained traction over the last few years: food-sharing apps. Apps such as Olio and Too Good to Go allow local communities to connect and share food that would otherwise go to waste. This allows everyone to save a little bit of money here and there whilst also getting some extra food! It really is a win-win for everyone involved and they’re really easy to get started with. And if there isn’t currently a community in your area for this sort of thing yet, why not be the one to create it?
Online marketplaces such as Shpock, eBay and Gumtree aren’t exactly new phenomena, but they’re still criminally under-utilised. When we’re looking to replace something, we often think to immediately buy new, even though there are probably 100s of sellers in your local area with perfectly good second-hand versions at a fraction of the price. Sometimes you can even find things listed for free!
Brown Recycling is Stoke-on-Trent’s favourite waste management company. Whether you’re looking for a skip for a garden project or you’re a small business that needs ongoing bin collection, we can do it all. All you have to do is get in touch and a member of our team will happily assist you.
You can ask us a question online using our contact form. Simply provide your name, email (purely for confirmation purposes) and the details of your enquiry, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
“We are hugely grateful to Brown Recycling for their help on DIY SOS: The Big Build in Stoke. Dave and the team went above and beyond to clear the site and then bring in other suppliers who also supported this great cause. Thanks to the generosity of countless suppliers and volunteers, Stoke now has a community centre that will support its residents for many years to come.”
Excellent service on a recent Hazardous waste removal from one of our sites. Paddy and Stacey wasted no time in arranging for our waste to be removed in surprisingly quick turnaround. 10/10...
1 week agoHired a skip to clear a huge pile of garden waste. Arrived on time, picked up bang on time, dead easy to book and pay. Courteous, helpful drivers. Job done! just as it should be, without drama. Highly...
1 month agoVery professional service and the customer service team are very helpful and knowledgeable. We have been working with browns and using their services for a number of years and cannot fault it. Very co...
1 month agoTerry was very efficient. We will use brown for skips again...
2 months agoHad problems with getting the skip into our drive but Browns persisted and 3 trucks later the 3rd driver got the job done. Incredible service from a very professional and competent company. Special me...
2 months agoReally efficient service, competitive price and they dropped off skip exactly where we asked them to. Easy to book a skip over the weekend using their online booking system. Very helpful when we nee...
3 months agoI ordered a skip at short notice and it arrived as requested. Having finished with it early Terry came and collected it very promptly which freed up the driveway. A Good service and reasonably priced....
3 months agoBrilliant service - I booked for the wrong date, but Browns were really helpful and changed the booking at the last minute....
4 months agoWe chose Brown Recycling because out of the firms we rang the lady on the end of the phone knew exactly what we needed and was very helpful. ( Yes you can place a skip in a council paying car park) A...
5 months agoA big thanks to Phil, always helpful and polite when collecting cardboard, nothing too much trouble ....
5 months agoChristie has been great in providing us with a total review of our waste services on site. If you are looking at reviewing your waste service then I would highly recommend that you reach out to her as...
6 months agoreally fast and a easy process. Thank you Christie...
6 months agoChristie has been most helpful and informative whilst booking a new service for plastic and general waste recycling. Would recommend :)...
6 months agoChristie was very helpful, she managed the whole process very efficiently and met our expectations. We now have the service and commercial offering we need for our business waste. We would recommend...
9 months agoQuick and really reliable service.... was a pleasure dealing with Christie!!!...
9 months agoRequested amendment to current waste collection. Very helpful and was able to answer all queries and adapt to our requirements. Definitely recommend...
10 months agoWe had a visit today from Mark and Andy dropping off our new waste bin. I would just like to acknowledge their outstanding customer service. They disposed of the built up waste that we had gathered si...
11 months agoFull marks to Andy and Mark. Went above and beyond today and would highly recommend them to anybody looking to recycle large quantities of waste. Professional, efficient and very approachable...
11 months agoFirst time using Browns, they were clear, efficient and got the job done. Will continue to use their services....
1 year agoNew to sorting a bin service for our new business. Christie and Brown Recyling has been great with helping us select the right type of bin required as well as not overspending for the sake of it. He...
1 year agoSuper easy to set up a long term skip hire, Christie made things nice and clear and the prices were good too! everything was ready to go really quick, highly recommend Browns...
1 year ago