RESOURCE USE
Helpful links to support the Eco Together programme.
Key:
○ = nationally (UK) relevant resource or information
◊ = national (UK) resource with representation locally, or search feature providing local information
Share-Lend-Borrow-Swap-Repair and Second Hand
Books Plus
○ List and swap books across the UK using accumulated swapping credits with Book Swap
○ reuseabook are preventing books from reaching landfill, it is a great (and well-stocked) place to take a look for a second hand read
Toys
○ Use a toy swap subscription with Whirli, where you can keep toys as long as you like, or with Toy Box Club, where toys are swapped monthly or use their holiday box option
Furniture
◊ Donate unwanted furniture, homeware and electrical items to British Heart Foundation by booking a free collection, and use the search function to find your local BHF shop and donation points for all items above plus clothes and books
Other
○ For eyewear Peep offers vintage and preloved glasses. They can also repair and restore your eyewear too, and put new lenses in your old frames. Lensology specialise in reglazing your glasses.
Second Hand Platforms
◊ Give or receive second hand items for free in your local area through Freegle or Freecycle – both groups aim to divert items from landfill
◊ There are many other online platforms for selling, or giving/receiving second hand items locally, such as Gumtree and community/membership groups such as Nextdoor and Facebook
○ Buy or sell second hand clothes yourself on Vinted or Depop, let Thrift+ do it for you and make a donation to your selected charity from the sale of your item, or reTHREAD can sell items for you on eBay. Or let bkinda select a surprise second hand outfit for you. Or why not try swapping clothes instead with Nuw or Dopplle.
○ Buy or sell second hand mid-century and retro furniture through Vinterior
Dealing with Waste Responsibly to Maximise Recycling
◊ Share Waste is a website and app that connects people wishing to recycle food scraps and other organic matter with neighbours who are composting, worm-farming or keeping farm animals.
◊ Soft/flexible plastics are not collected kerbside but several national retail companies have drop off recycling points in store for these items including plastic bags, crisp packets, food pouches, salad bags, cake and biscuit wrappers, bread bags, plastic film lids, plastic wraps from multibuys and sweets wrappers. Check the websites/stores for details and to avoid contamination.
◊ For hard to recycle items such as dental products, contact lens packaging, foil balloons and razors, plus brand specific recycling programmes, check Terracycle for locations of free drop-off boxes, persuade your employer to set up their own paid recycling scheme at work with their Zero Waste Box or do it yourself with friends and neighbours using Terracycle's Zero Waste Bags.
◊ Drop off empty medicine blister packs in the dedicated collection boxes in Superdrug
◊ For hard to recycle beauty, healthcare and wellness products (e.g. mascara, lipsticks, make up palettes, toothpaste tubes) take back any items sold in Boots to their recycling boxes in larger stores
◊ Clean, dry clothes in good condition (including underwear and socks) are typically accepted at Council recycling centres. Some charity shops will accept poor quality or damaged clothes as “rags” (yes, this also includes old pants and socks) but contact them first to check and bag them up separately. Any condition bras can be recycled at the national programme at Marks & Spencer and Bravissimo who also take swimwear.
○ Unusable bed mattresses, divans and bedframes can be collected and recycled by The Mattress Recycling People
○ Home textiles (e.g. bed linen) and clothes (even if damaged) along with selected kitchen/dining items, bulky furniture and electricals are rehomed, reused and recycled by Dunelm.
○ Not sure what to do with electricals - find out all the answers from Recycle Your Electricals. Enter your postcode and type in your item to find out where you can recycle.
○ Let registered waste collectors compete for the job of taking away your waste at Love Junk (use the app), where re-usable items may also be collected for free
Plastics
○ Go to Plastic Soup Foundation if you are concerned about plastics consumption. They have plenty of information, tools, tips and ideas.
○ Try the Beat The Micro Bead app to find out which products contain microplastics before you buy - just scan the ingredients.
Ethical Consumption
○ Find out why and how you should be an ethical consumer and search for the ethical ratings of more than 40,000 brands and products
○ Use Good Find, a buying guide, to identify “ethical alternatives to everything”
○ Check out the ethical rating of clothing brands using criteria for planet, people and animals with Good on you
○ Know the top sustainability certifications for UK businesses as identified by Greener Matters
○ Find a certified B-Corporation (UK)
Other
○ Tips on how to have less stuff from Psyche
○ Find out more about zero waste by watching this video from Bea Johnson
○ Calculate your fashion footprint with Thred Up
○ Follow these tips from Greenpeace to shift to a more ethical and sustainable wardrobe
○ Find out all you need to know about using menstrual products environmentally from the detailed Environmenstrual Resources Hub by the Women’s Environmental Network