Did you know…
- Enough plastic is thrown away each year to circle the Earth 4 times
- 1.6 million tonnes of bulky waste items are thrown out every year in the UK – more than half of these items could be reused
- £140 million worth of clothing goes in to landfill each year
- Recycling 1 glass bottle saves enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes
The Green Changes you can make
- Green Change 7 – Become a plastic-less or free community
- Green Change 8 – Recycle more in your community
- Green Change 9 – Recycle food related waste
- Green Change 10 – Introduce / operate a local community repair or share scheme
- Green Change 11 – Use local reuse charities and sign up to local freecycle and reuse networks
Who’s already making the change?
- There are a few communities in Wales who are turning the tide on plastic – find out more about plastic free communities here
- There are more shops across North Wales that are becoming package free – find your local zero waste shop here
- To help increase recycling, mobile recycling centres are now available to rural Conwy communities
- There are organisations in Conwy and Denbighshire that provide recycling support services, such as Crest in Conwy and Resources Recycling in Denbighshire
Ideas to help you on your way
- Look at ways you can reduce single use plastic in your community – work with local shops to sign up to Refill Wales & become a refill station, investigate installing water fountains too
- Reuse or sharing schemes can be used for a variety of things – such as sharing tools and even using left over paint
- When safe to do so, look at hosting a Repair Cafe – a great way to give a new lease of life to electricals, upcycling furniture all while meeting people & learning new skills
- When safe to do so, look at hosting a jumble sale or shwopping event – helping to reduce unwanted clothing going to landfill
- Community composting is a great way to transform unwanted garden and food waste into compost that can be used in the community
Advice and Guidance
Here are some useful guides and advice for encouraging recycling and reducing waste –
- Surfers Against Sewage – provides information to help communities become plastic free
- Recycle for Wales – has information & support about recycling know how
- Love Food Hate Waste – has lots of information on how to reduce food waste
- Social Farms & Gardens – has a resources pack for community composting
Funding and Support
Here are some possible funding sources and details where you can access further specialist support – but remember there are more sources out there too…
- Lottery Community Fund – Provides information on community grants available in Wales
- Funding Cymru – Funding portal helping charities, community groups & social organisations find funding opportunities in their local area
- Community & Voluntary Support Conwy and Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council provide advice and support on funding opportunities
