Reducing household waste

You can significantly reduce the amount of waste you create by making small changes, for example:

• using your own shopping bags
• selling or giving away items you no longer need
• choosing reusable or refillable products
• switching to rechargeable batteries - which are more cost-effective and eco-friendly

Reuse or repurpose – a new lease of life for your items

Reusing items can save money and reduce waste by helping you make the most of things you already have.

Furniture

Give furniture a new look by repainting or restyling it. If you no longer want it, you can sell it or give it away so someone else can use it.

Clothing

Restyle or repair clothing to extend its life, or donate good‑quality items to a charity shop to give them a second life. You can also offer on reuse apps. Alternatively, you can sell your unwanted items online. Visit ‘what waste goes where’ page or the Recycle Now website for more ideas. 

Nappies

Switch to reusable nappies to reduce the number of disposables you throw away. More on reusable nappies.

Places to pass on unwanted items

You can reduce waste by passing on unwanted items through community reuse groups, for example:

• Freegle
• Freecycle
• you can also offer unwanted items on apps like Olio 

Websites like ebay, Vinted and facebook marketplace are also popular ways of selling on your unwanted items.

Reduce junk mail

To cut down on unwanted mail and reduce waste paper you can:

• register with the Mailing Preference Service (MPS) to remove your name from direct marketing lists
• opt out of Royal Mail's Door to Door service to stop unaddressed leaflets delivered by your postie
• display a 'No Junk Mail' sticker on your door
• unsubscribe from mailing lists or opt out of postal marketing on forms

Buy recycled products

Buying recycled products increases demand for recycled materials and helps makes them more economically viable. It also reduces the energy used in manufacturing.

You can support recycling by choosing everyday items made from recycled materials, such as:

• toilet paper
• writing paper
• mouse mats made from recycled tyres
• pencils made from plastic vending cups

Reduce food waste

Small changes to how you buy, store and use food can help you waste less and save money. For practical advice, see our page on reducing food waste.

Contact Waste and Recycling