Take reusable bags every time you go shopping
Single-use plastic bags often end up polluting local waterways or endangering wildlife, where they can take hundreds of years to break down into microplastics. Switching to durable, reusable bags keeps hundreds of plastic bags out of the waste stream each year.
Try to buy your fruit and veg without packaging
Where available, choosing loose produce slashes unnecessary plastic wrap and lets you buy only what you will actually eat, which prevents both plastic and food waste.
Repair items instead of replacing them with new ones
Fixing your clothes, electronics and furniture extends their life, saving you money while cutting the carbon emissions needed to make new products.
Don’t have the tools or know-how to fix something yourself? Take the item to a local repair café. An expert will repair the item for you – and may teach you how to do it yourself in the future.
You can find out more, including upcoming repair café events, on the Repair Café Oxfordshire website.
Check our directory of Community Action Groups to discover other community events that can help reduce your waste.
Use a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic bottles of water
Carrying your own bottle keeps hundreds of single-use plastic bottles out of the waste system every year and saves you cash on every refill.
You can find water refill spots near you on this map.
Buy second-hand items where possible
Giving quality pre-loved items a second home saves you money and cuts down on the raw materials needed for brand-new goods.
