Back to school preparations
As a new academic year approaches there are many easy ways to save money (and waste less) including:
– Shop your home – check your cupboards and drawers before buying new pens and stationery. You might have half the items already. If buying new, choose items with recycled content.
– Swap clingfilm and sandwich bags for reusable containers.
– Try making your own lunchbox snacks to cut down on packaging, food waste and your carbon ‘foodprint’
Have you heard of Secondhand September?
Organised by Oxfam, #SecondhandSeptember encourages us to reuse, ‘rewear’ and restyle our clothes to reduce waste and address the climate crisis during September and beyond.
If you’ve never taken part in Second Hand September, it’s easy to get started. Before you buy new, shop your wardrobe, swap with friends or buy secondhand: Try charity shops, Vinted or Preworn
Reuse shops – A treasure trove of goodies!
If you’re looking for larger items, such as furniture for a new Uni student, or refreshing your home, the reuse shops are hidden gems! With prices kept low, you can find a bargain amongst the desks, chairs, tables, dressers, bikes, toys, DVDs, electrical appliances and more – See the links below for examples.
Reuse shops are located at Harpenden, Stevenage, Ware, Waterdale and Welwyn Garden recycling centres.
Bulky waste collections
If you have larger items you no longer want, items in good condition can be passed on for reuse. The reuse shops accept donations to the Reuse Drop Off Bays at any recycling centre. Various charities will collect items for reuse.
Your local council will collect items for disposal. See the relevant webpage for details and costs. Remember flytipping is illegal.
Repair Cafes – get your broken items fixed
A growing number of repair cafes around Hertfordshire are the perfect place to visit if you have items that need fixing. From a toaster which no longer ‘pops’, to a broken zip on your favourite dress, and much more in-between.
Many local residents have been delighted with what they have manged to bring back to life. What will you take?
Recycle your electricals
There are times that electrical items can’t be fixed. We tend to hoarde broken electrical items – an average of 30 items per household! Often this is because we’re not sure what to do with them, or have concerns about data security.
Never place electricals in any household bin. Instead, recycle them at an electricals retailer or local electrical recycling location.
Share your Update Me with friends and family
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for news stories, updates and tips on making your life that little bit more WasteAware.
Invite family, friends and colleagues to sign up to our ‘Rubbish and Recycling’ bulletins. You might also like the Sustainable Hertfordshire e-newsletter to help us live in a cleaner, greener, more environmentally sustainable county.