Do it online
Related links
Waste reduction and reuse
Every Londoner throws away a tonne of waste each year according to Recycle Now, that is the equivalent in weight of a family car.
We encourage residents and businesses in the borough, and people who use our services to reduce the amount of waste they produce. Managing resources efficiently saves everyone money.
Waste reduction and reuse activities represent the most sustainable way of not producing waste that might have to go to landfill.
As the waste hierarchy diagram demonstrates, by not generating waste in the first place, we can reduce the demand for new resources.
We can also reduce the associated costs and environmental impact of managing waste through recycling, energy recovery and disposal.
The environmental benefits of producing less waste far outweigh the benefits of collecting materials for recycling.
Recycling helps to reduce the amount of waste sent for disposal but it will not solve the problem of the amount of waste that is being produced.
We work with the other West London boroughs of Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Richmond-upon-Thames to provide you with information on waste reduction and reuse through the West London Waste website
How you can help
We can make a conscious decision to take responsibility when we do our weekly shop to reduce the amount of potential waste we purchase.
1. Make a shopping list and stick to it - This will help you to try to buy only what you need and help to resist those special offers.
2. Buy loose fruit and vegetables and not pre-packaged - This is a cheaper option and cuts down on packaging. Do not use a small plastic carrier. As many fruits and vegetables have their own protective skins you should wash them before eating.
3. Buy non-perishable products - Buy items such as household cleaners in the largest size possible. Then you will only have one container to throw away and it's cheaper.
4. Choose goods with the least packaging - One layer is enough. Layers and layers of plastic are not necessary.
5. Glass bottles and jars or tins - Cartons and plastic can be difficult and expensive to recycle.
6. Buy refills of the products you buy regularly such as washing detergents - This will save on money and packaging.
7. Use re-usable goods - These last longer than single items, such as reusable dish cloths, dusters, razors and real nappies.
8. Take your own shopping bag - Avoide free plastic bags.
9. Using supermarket recycling banks when you shop rather than making an extra trip - This potentially saves on time and petrol.
10. Buy recycled goods - This means materials can be used for a second time, and it reduces our dependence on raw materials and finite resources.