Zero Waste Week: Discover how reducing waste can help tackle climate change and save you money

It’s Zero Waste Week this week and we’re supporting the national environmental campaign to get everyone wasting less.

One of the easiest ways we can all play a part to help tackle climate change is to reduce the amount of household waste being produced in the borough, and by recycling as much as we can of whatever waste is left.

Reducing what we waste is not just great for the environment, it’s also great for your pocket too. With the cost of living continuing to rise sharply, finding ways to reduce your household waste can be a real money saver.

In Redbridge local people can soon get a head start on their zero waste journey with One Planet – a new zero waste refill shop opening 10 September, in South Woodford, Unit 1, The Galleria, on George Lane.

Speaking about the ethos of the store, owner Zuzana Ravasova said: “One Planet is just like any other supermarket, but everything you purchase will be taken home in reusable containers, fabric bags or paper bags. Shoppers can buy everything from dry goods, cleaning products, toiletries, snacks, sweets and more, and we sell everything plastic free with minimal or no packaging. I want the shop to be a hub for the community, to start a conversation and see how we can make our area better; to see what we can achieve together."

When asked what she would recommend trying to reduce first for those looking to cut back on their waste, Zuzana advised: "I found cleaning products were the easiest. When I used up a bottle, I set it aside and at the end of the week I took it to the refill shop and refilled it. You can’t stop using all plastic immediately, it would be too hard, which is only because the convenience plays a big part in our life.”

Increasing recycling and supporting local people to waste less is a key objective of the council’s Cleaner Redbridge campaign.

In support of Zero Waste Week, why not try out these clever waste cutting ideas?

Food Waste

Did you know on average, each home in the UK throws away 8 complete meals a week, costing households around £720 a year?

Here are three top tips to help you cut back on food waste and save your money:

Portion planning and buying

Make a shopping list to help you stick to only buying what you need. When it comes to mealtimes, serve the right amount of food. Why not try this useful portion planner to help with serving sizes: https://lovefoodhatewaste.com/portion-planner

Fridge optimisation

Did you know that your fridge should be below 5°C? In fact, the average UK fridge temperature is set at a way too hot 7°C. This is terrible news for milk and other food items kept in the fridge, which can perish quickly when not stored at the right temperature.

Find out more about fridge temperatures on: https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/article/chill-fridge-out?_ga=2.190044905.317125162.1612275985-2076548065.1588605611

Date labels

Do you know the difference between ‘Use By’, ‘Best Before’ and ‘Display Until /Sell By’ dates? Check this guide to clear up any confusion with date labels, and to make sure you’re not throwing away food unnecessarily: https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/about-date-labels

Want to find out more on how to reduce your food waste? Head to our website: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/our-streets/love-food-hate-waste 

Plastic waste:

Help cut back on plastic waste in the borough with these top tips:

• Single use plastic is one of the biggest offenders of plastic pollution. Swap single use plastic items such as disposable cutlery, straws or coffee cups for reusable ones that are a longer lasting alternative. For more tips on cutting back on single use plastic head to Redbridge Council’s website: redbridge.gov.uk/our-streets/cut-out-single-use-plastic/
• Ditch plastic bottled water and opt for a reusable stainless steel bottle you can keep refilling for when you are on the go.
• Buying plastic-wrapped or packaged fruits and vegetables can be convenient, but unfortunately it creates plastic waste. Instead, buy loose fruit and vegetables and say bye to unnecessary packaging.
• Swapping balloons and other plastic party decorations for reusable and eco-friendly alternatives is a great way to celebrate in style without harming the environment.
• Reusable and eco-friendly bags such as cloth bags are the way to go for a greener shop.

Head to our website for lots more information on how switching to all sorts of reusables and cutting waste can help save you money and help the environment: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/our-streets/

 For more information on Zero Waste Week visit: https://www.zerowasteweek.co.uk/

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