#LeedsByExample
 

Over 600,000 tonnes of stuff is thrown away from Leeds’ homes and businesses every year

 
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Stuff - what’s the big deal? 

Throwing away so much stuff has a huge impact on our city, is harmful for local wildlife and it can be a waste of money too. Although we can recycle lots of things in Leeds, the best thing you can do is reduce the amount you waste in the first place.

Many of the things we throw away could be useful to someone else or could be recycled into something new. As the saying goes, "one person’s trash is another person’s treasure"!  There are simple things we can all do to better manage our stuff. We can #LeedsByExample by throwing away less, switching to reusable items where we can, and recycling more.  

 
 
 
 

Six ways to throw less away and recycle more 

 
 
Fruit and vegetables in a reusable canvas bag

Say no and reuse

Say no to plastic bags, coffee cups, bottles and other single use items. Remember to take your reusables with you when you are out and about.

Instead of using disposable batteries, why not try rechargeable ones instead? Rechargeable batteries can be used over and over again and are better for the environment as they create less waste. Rechargeable batteries are also cheaper over time.

 
 
Man placing used coffee cup in a coffee cup recycling bin

Recycle all you can

Everything in your green bin collection goes to a facility for sorting, with around 75% recycled and turned into new things.

Check this helpful A-Z to find out what you can and can’t recycle in Leeds.

Don’t litter! It harms wildlife, blocks waterways and looks unsightly. You can also recycle on-the-go at one of the bright yellow or orange recycling bins located across the city.

If you do use disposable batteries, it is important that you do not throw these in your household bins. Batteries contain heavy metals which, when collected properly, can be reused. Read more about battery recycling in Leeds.

Sewing kit equipment laid on a table

Love your clothes

Buying fewer, better quality clothes that you love and wear for longer will save you money and reduce your impact. You can make your clothes last longer by washing them with care and making small repairs.

Make a pledge to wear clothes to last.

When you’re finished with a wearable item, donate it to a charity shop or swap it at a clothing exchange event.

This handy Zero Waste Leeds map will help you to find your nearest textile bank, charity shop, repair shop, sewing class and clothes exchange. They’ve also set up the Leeds School Uniform Exchange to help parents save money and prevent good quality uniform from going to waste.

 
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Donate your old tech

Globally, we generate 50 million tonnes of electric waste every year – and this has a significant carbon footprint. 

By using your products for longer or donating old electrical items (such as laptops and computers), you can help minimise the amount of waste you throw away and reduce your carbon footprint. 

Digital Access West Yorkshire collect spare laptops from businesses and individuals who no longer need them and donate them to young people across Leeds who are unable to access technology at home.

Take a look at 100% Digital for more places to donate your old tech and find support for people who need access to digital devices.

If you have old electrical items that no longer work, please do not place these in your green or black bins. These can be recycled at electrical banks, find your nearest electrical bank on the council’s website.

Person repairing bicycle wheel

Care and repair

Find a master in repair and care for the stuff you buy. Over half of us say we already buy fewer, better quality items and more of us would like to do this. Pay Leeds Repair Café a visit, or get that bike puncture or phone screen mended instead of replaced.

Make a pledge to repair and reuse.

 
Woman looking at furniture in a charity shop

Your trash could be another’s treasure

Over half of us have bought clothes and books second hand. Do you? Why chuck something away when someone else could enjoy it? Last year, unwanted furniture collected in Leeds helped furnish over 8,500 homes. Pass on unwanted items or grab a bargain at a charity shop like Revive. Check out the Leeds Little Free Libraries for second hand books and to exchange your old ones.

 
 
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