Reduce and reuse

The most effective way to reduce waste is not to create it in the first place. Making new products requires a lot of materials and energy – consider the raw materials that have to be extracted, the energy used to produce the product, and then the transportation. As a result, reducing the number of things you buy and reusing existing products are the most effective ways you could save natural resources, protect the environment and save money.

How to reduce the impact of items we use?

• Repair items rather than replace.
• Buy items second hand, like electronics from CeX or books, clothes and other items from charity shops.
• Although not available in Islington at the moment, borrow items that you rarely use (like DIY or gardening tools) from the Library of Things rather than buy them.
• Avoid buying fast fashion items.
• Put an end to junk mail to stop paper from being wasted – register with the Mail Preference Service.
• Use real cloth nappies with our £54.15 voucher scheme.
• Save an average of £50 a month on your food bill. For more information on how much you could save, visit the Love Food Hate Waste website.
• When you need to buy new things, consider ones that have been produced in a circular economy way.

Pass unwanted items onto others:

• Find your nearest charity shop to make a donation.
• Use reuse and swapping sites such as Freegle, Freecycle or Olio and TippTap.
• TRAID offers a free collection service of multiple bags of unwanted textiles from your door. Complete the booking form or call TRAID direct on 020 8733 2595 to arrange a pick-up.