Reuse, Repair and Recycling are great ways to reduce waste and can help you reduce spend on new items. Here are some tips on how you can reuse, repair and recycle.
West London Waste Authority
The West London Waste Authority provides advice on reducing your waste and also have some great schemes to get involved in. Visit the West London Waste website.
Clothing
We have partnered with TRAID, a charity working to prevent clothing being thrown away. If you want to avoid throwing away clothes you no longer want, take a look at how you can book a collection.
Laptops and computers
If you have a laptop you are thinking of throwing away, you can donate to Harrow Sustain IT. Harrow Sustain IT is a project run by Voluntary Action Harrow.
They clean and fix unused laptops and donate them to charities and voluntary organisations.
You can donate most unwanted items to local charity shops. Find your nearest charity shop.
Items for repair
The Repair Directory is a service that finds local repair shops in London. If you have an item that needs repairing and aren’t sure where to go, take a look at the Repair Directory
Water refills
Find out where to get free refills of water in London by using the Refill App. If you are a business and would like be listed on the App, visit the Refill website.
ReLondon
ReLondon is a partnership between the Mayor of London and London boroughs to improve waste and recycling services in London. Find out more on the ReLondon website.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We have collated some tips to help you reduce your use of single use plastics:
1. Carry a reusable bottle
In the UK we use over 35 million plastic bottles every day! Carrying a reusable bottle is a great way to cut your plastic use and save money too.
You can use the Refill app to find a place to fill up your water bottle for free when you are out and about. Many cafés, restaurants and bars are also happy to refill your bottle too.
2. Take a reusable coffee cup
2.5 billion coffee cups are thrown away every year in the UK – and less than 1 in 400 are recycled. Carry a reusable cup with you – some cafés even offer discounts if you use your own cup.
3. Avoid excessive food packaging
We can all try and cut down on the plastic we buy. And as an added bonus, loose fruit and veg is often cheaper than pre-packaged alternatives.
4. Carry reusable shopping bags
Since the plastic bag charge was introduced in England, there’s been a massive 85% drop in their use. Many of us are used to carrying an extra bag with us.
If you still find it hard to remember, try a foldaway one that you can carry in your normal day bag.
5. Teabags
Consider using plastic free teabags or you could even give loose leaf tea with a tea strainer a go instead.
6. Balloons and other single-use plastic party decorations
With a little bit of creativity, you can plan a party that’s free from balloons and other single-use plastics. Popular decorations that can be reused include:
- bunting,
- tassels,
- tissue pom-poms,
- lanterns,
- fresh flowers.