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The most effective way to reduce waste is not to create it in the first place. Making new products requires a lot of materials and energy – consider the raw materials that have to be extracted, the energy used to produce the product, and then the transportation.

Reducing the number of things you buy and reusing existing products are the most effective ways you could save natural resources, protect the environment and save money.

Sign up to receive occasional advice, tips and information about events to help you reduce, reuse and recycle your waste.

How to reduce the impact of items we use

  • Repair items rather than replace.
  • Buy items second hand, like electronics from CeX or books, clothes and other items from charity shops.
  • Although not available in Islington at the moment, borrow items that you rarely use (like DIY or gardening tools) from the Library of Things rather than buy them.
  • Avoid buying fast fashion items.
  • Put an end to junk mail to stop paper from being wasted – register with the Mail Preference Service.
  • Use real cloth nappies with our £54.15 voucher scheme.
  • Save an average of £50 a month on your food bill. For more information on how much you could save, visit the Love Food Hate Waste website.
  • When you need to buy new things, consider ones that have been produced in a circular economy way.

Pass unwanted items onto others

Upcoming reuse and repair events in Islington

Event Date Location More information
Clothes and books swaps Every Saturday, 11am to 1pm St Andrews Church, Thornhill Square No registration required - just turn up
Textile upcycling workshop Every Thursday, 12pm to 3pm Hornsey Lane Estate Community Centre No registration required - more information
Islington Fixers electrical items repair cafe
Saturday, 16 November, 12:30 to 4:30 Birchmore Community Centre Free event - more information
Islington Clothes Swap with Loanhood Saturday, 30 November, 11:30 to 16:00 St Andrew's Church, Thornhill Square Free event - book here
Islington Fixers electrical items repair cafe Saturday, 7 December, 11am to 3pm Islington Climate Centre, Angel Free event - more information
Textile upcycling and repair workshop
Tuesday, 10 December, 10am to 4pm
FC Designer Collective, Fonthill Road  Free event - register here
Textile upcycling and repair workshop
Tuesday, 14 January, 10am to 4pm
FC Designer Collective, Fonthill Road
Free event - register here
Textile upcycling and repair workshop
Tuesday, 11 February, 10am to 4pm
FC Designer Collective, Fonthill Road Free event - register here
Islington Fixers electrical items repair cafe
Saturday, 22 February, 11am to 3pm
Vibast Community Centre Free event - more information