Waste Less. Clean Spaces. Better Places – Week two: Zero Waste Week – could you prevent just one item becoming waste?

Most of us think about waste when we’re standing next to the bin. But by then, it’s already too late.

Zero Waste Week (7–11 September) is a chance to think about waste a little earlier – before we buy, replace or throw something away.

Small decisions can make a big difference. Planning meals before you shop can help prevent food waste. Repairing a broken toy can keep it in use for longer. Borrowing something you only need occasionally means you don’t have to buy it at all.

These choices can help reduce waste, save natural resources and save you money too.

Could you take the Zero Waste Week challenge?

This Zero Waste Week, try to prevent just one item from becoming waste.

Before you replace or throw something away, ask yourself:

• Could I repair it or reuse it?
• Could someone else use it?
• Could I borrow it instead?
• Could I buy only what I need?

Broken doesn’t always mean finished. Repairing something, donating it or finding someone who can use it can keep it in use for longer – saving waste, resources and money.

You could also explore local refill shops, Libraries of Things and community schemes that make it easier to reduce waste. Why not find one near you and see what’s on offer?

Try one simple swap this week, here’s some ideas:

• swap a plastic bottle for a reusable one,
• use a reusable cloth instead of kitchen roll,
• repair an existing toy instead of buying a new one,
• borrow a drill rather than buying one,
• or turn leftovers into tomorrow’s lunch.

You don’t need to change everything. If every household prevented just one item from becoming waste this week, together we’d make a significant difference.

One small swap can make a difference. What’s your one waste-saving action this Zero Waste Week?

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Week one: Small changes that make a big difference

Whether it’s packing school lunches, shopping for the week ahead or clearing out the garage, we all create waste every day.

But what if making less waste was easier than you think?

That’s the idea behind our new Waste Less. Clean Spaces. Better Places campaign.

Over the next month we’ll be sharing practical tips, local ideas and simple swaps to help households across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse reduce waste, save money and help create cleaner communities.

Why are we launching this campaign?

Small changes really do make a difference.

Most of us want to waste less. We want to save money, recycle more and leave a cleaner environment for our children, however, life is busy and knowing where to start isn’t always easy.

But, when thousands of households each make one small change, together we can make a big difference.

Instead of asking people to make big lifestyle changes, we’re focusing on small actions that can easily become everyday habits.

Things like:

• Shopping with a list to avoid buying too much.

• Using leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.

• Borrowing something instead of buying it.

• Repairing an item before replacing it.

• Choosing products with less packaging.

• On their own, these actions might seem small—but when lots of us make them, they can have a real impact.

This week’s challenge

Can you choose just one of these five actions to try this week?

✔ Do a stock check of your kitchen cupboards and freezer and plan meals around the food you already have.

✔ Make a shopping list of what you need, and stick to it without buying anything extra.

✔ Try to choose fruit and veg without packaging.

✔ Fill up a used food or toiletries container at a refill station, saving money and reducing waste.

✔ Find an old or unwanted item to repair, donate or share.

Start with one – if it becomes a habit, why not try another next week

Together, we can waste less, create cleaner spaces and build better places for everyone.

To find out more, check our news page – New campaign encourages residents to Waste Less and create Cleaner, Better Places