Much modern furniture is made from bonded wood, rather than solid wood.

Products such as bonded wood, laminates, MDF, OSB, woodchip, hardboard and softboard are also very practical for flooring over an existing solid or boarded floor. Some of these forms use formaldehyde resins to bind them, which are carcinogenic.

Some councils accept cardboard in with paper waste, and some do not - check first.

Cardboard is great for compost heaps. Alternate it with layers of green waste such as grass clippings.

Shredded cardboard is good for animal bedding. Once used, it can then be added to the compost as it will be rich in nitrogen.

Most of us now have simple access to paper recycling facilities either through direct collection from our house, or facilities at local recycling centres. Around a third of all household waste collected consists of paper and card.