Resources for community groups

If you’re thinking about starting a waste prevention project but don’t know where to begin, we’ve pulled together some useful links to help you get started.

Repair Cafés

Repair Cafés are a growing global movement where people bring their broken household items along for volunteers to repair. People usually make a small up-front donation whether or not the item is successfully repaired and sit with the volunteer while the repair is being attempted to learn repair skills.

Resources

Reusable Nappies Libraries

Reusable Nappy Libraries offer a range of kits, support and advice for parents wishing to trial reusable nappies. The kits are often loaned out to parents for a small fee for a number of months and then returned to the library. There is often an accompanying element of support and advice with the kits, either in the form on leaflets/online advice or meet ups with other parents also using reusable nappies.

Resources

Community Composting

Community Composting is usually defined as a scheme whereby communities come together to compost their suitable household and garden waste and produce compost for an area.

Resources

Library of Things

A Library of Things is a collection of household and/or garden items available to loan either free of charge or for a fee to people who require the item for a short period of time.

See: guidance on setting up a library of things

Reuse Network

Reuse Network supports charities across the UK to help them alleviate poverty, reduce waste, and tackle climate change

Swap Events

Swap Events are community events where people bring clothes, baby equipment or other small household items to swap. For more information, see:

Swap It Online

Community Fridges

Community Fridges are publicly available fridges which store unwanted fresh food from the local area, so it can be passed onto those who can make use of it.

Hubbub Community Fridge Network

Guide to setting up a Community Fridge

Posters for waste prevention events

We've produced some posters which can be downloaded for waste prevention themed events or stands:

Planning a project?

If you're planning a project, contact the Smart Living team:[email protected].

You can also contact the team through social media. For further ideas or advice: