All the ways recycling could save (and make) you money

We all know recycling is good for the planet. But is it good for your wallet?

With the cost of living still rising, it’s likely you’ve got money on your mind. But perhaps good recycling habits could impact your bank balance more than you realise. Discover how recycling could help you save, and even make money through the cost of living crisis.

5 ways recycling can help you make and save money

Recycling stops you buying more stuff

Perhaps the most direct benefit of recycling is how much day-to-day money it could save you. Whether you’re reusing water bottles, saving Tupperware or swapping clothes through a communal clothes bank, reusing and recycling everyday items will save you valuable pennies for the things you really need.

Looking for more nifty ways to be green on a budget? Discover these top tips from our friendly giffgaffers to help you live sustainably for less.

Our Head Designer, Darren Barker, is big on charity shop recycling. Now we’re all feeling inspired:

“My obsession with charity shops started in college when I was obsessed with 90s and 60s music. Now it’s just a way of life that I’m super proud of. It’s not only good for fashion (very important), it’s also sustainable, helps reduce landfill and it’s affordable 💚🌍. I find a garment I love for £10 max when brand new in a shop might be £70. Treating yourself isn’t just for payday!”

Shopping recycled stops us mining for raw materials

It takes far more time, work and money to mine for raw materials than it does to reuse them. Proper recycling helps us make the most of the world’s natural resources and protects habitats from being destroyed by mining.

But how does this help your pocket? Well, it’s pretty simple. Buying products with newly mined materials is expensive. Take mobile phones, for example. Your phone contains a whopping 42 valuable minerals including gold, platinum and mercury. Buy refurbished though, and these minerals don’t need to be mined fresh, making your phone far cheaper than its brand new alternative.

Find out more about the refurbished phone journey and how to save money through the cost of living crisis by buying your phones refurbished.

Conserve energy while you recycle

Recycling materials like aluminium cans, plastic bottles and newspapers could save up to 70% of energy¹ compared to making them from new. In fact, recycling a single plastic bottle saves enough energy to power a lightbulb for three whole hours.

While this doesn’t exactly put money back in your pocket, you can at least relish the knowledge that those hours spent watching Netflix are paid for by your great recycling habits.

Recycling keeps the product cycle alive longer

It’s all too easy to throw things away when they get old or broken. Research shows that up to 80%² of the things we throw away could be recycled.

Recycling old or unused items keeps them in the product life cycle for longer, reducing demand for new materials and giving your unwanted ‘waste’ a new lease of life. It’s good for the planet, and potentially good for your pocket too.

Did you know, you could make money back on your old phone by selling it to giffgaff recycle? Not only do we give you a fair price, we’ll also make sure it’s fully refurbished and ready for a new home.

Recycling creates jobs

Recycling is good for the economy as a whole. According to a recent report from thinktank Green Alliance, 450,000 new jobs will be created as a result of the UK Government’s ‘levelling up’ scheme, transitioning the country to a net-zero economy by 2050³.

The report predicts 300,000 roles will be created in ‘re-manufacturing’, giving products a new lease of life by returning them to their original state, with the other 150,000 in repair, reuse and recycling roles.

What’s more, a third of all new jobs will be in manual or lower-skilled occupations, creating new opportunities for those facing the highest risk of unemployment, a sure comfort during the cost of living crisis.

Looking for more ways to save?

Our community of giffgaffers are full of tips, tricks and handy advice. If you’re struggling with the cost of living, head on over to the giffgaff community forum for some well-deserved moral support.

Sources

1. https://www.recyclingbins.co.uk/recycling-facts/
2. https://www.recyclingbins.co.uk/recycling-facts/
3. https://green-alliance.org.uk/publication/levelling-up-through-circular-economy-jobs/