Reducing your waste and reusing items reduces your impact on the environment, saves money and supports our local community.
How to reduce your general waste
You can reduce your general waste by:
- buying products with less packaging
- repairing items instead of replacing them
- using reusable items like batteries and bags
You can also:
- sign up for paperless billing
- register for the mail preference service to reduce junk mail
- sign up with the Library of Things to hire useful household items for a few pounds per day, instead of buying them
- use the Mindful Shopper as a guide to make more sustainable choices
How to reduce your food waste
You can reduce your general waste by:
- buying only what you need
- using leftovers
- planning your meals in advance
- managing portion size so you do not make more than you eat
- trying home composting
You can also:
- get recipe ideas that will help save the planet with Eat Like A Londoner
- get tips on how to reduce your food waste with Love Food Hate Waste
- learn new skills at the cookery classes run by Good Food in Greenwich
- batch cook
- register with Olio to give away and collect leftover or extra food
How to reuse items
Reusing will also help to reduce waste. For example, you can:
- refill plastic drink bottles
- reuse carrier bags or take a canvas bag with you when you go shopping
- use shredded paper or old newspaper as a packing material
- shop at charity shops, boot sales and online auctions, or reuse networks like Freegle
Items you cannot reuse
For household items that you cannot reuse, you can:
- take them to a recycling bring site
- take them to the Reuse and Recycling Centre
- book a bulky waste collection
Terracycle offers drop-off schemes for many items we cannot collect, like pouches, packets, and tubes.
You can also recycle soft or flexible plastic like carrier bags and bread bags at large supermarkets.