Reducing waste and increasing the circular economy

A circular economy aims to keep products and materials in use for as long as possible through reduction, repair, reuse and recycling.

By reducing waste, minimising resource extraction, and lowering emissions a circular economy approach can be more cost effective and reduce negative environmental impacts.

Library of Things

Renting instead of buying offers significant environment benefits. It supports the circular economy and reduces the excessive consumption and accumulation of rarely used items.

The Library of Things in Southside Shopping Centre allows residents and businesses to borrow items instead of buying them.

Second Hand Office Furniture Co

Buying second hand office furniture is a more sustainable choice than purchasing new items. It helps conserve natural resources, lowers carbon emissions, and supports the circular economy.

The Second Hand Office Furniture Co offers affordable second-hand office furniture in London, providing significant cost savings.

Apps that help reduce waste

There are several apps that can help to reduce all types of waste.

Too Good To Go

Too Good To Go is an app that helps businesses sell their surplus food, allowing customers to buy food that would otherwise be thrown away.

Many businesses in Wandsworth have already signed up to the platform.

Olio

The Olio app helps you find what you need from second hand sources and share items you don’t need with local residents who want them. Food Waste Heroes are Olio-ers who pick up unsold surplus food from businesses to save it from going to waste. 

Refill

The Refill app helps people find places to refill their water bottles. Businesses can sign up as a refill station and be featured on the app.

This encourages the use of reusable water bottles and helps reduce the carbon footprint of businesses.

Freegle

The Freegle app allows you to easily use Freegle’s online platform for the free local exchange of unwanted items on your smart phone or tablet without relying on email notifications. 

Green Salon Collective

The Green Salon Collective can help make your salon more sustainable by recycling hard to recycle items like hair, used foils, and colour tubes.

Remove single use items from the office

Removing single use items from the office can have a positive impact on the environment. By eliminating single use cups from water coolers and encouraging employees to bring their own water bottles, you can help minimise plastic waste and protect the planet.

Using proper plates and cutlery at catered events and encouraging employees to bring Tupperware to take home leftovers can significantly reduce the amount of disposable items that end up in landfill. 

Commercial waste and recycling collections

We have a duty to collect commercial waste and recycling if requested and must charge for this service.

Our charges can be significantly higher than those of privately operating licenced waste carriers operating locally, so we advise businesses to get quotes from privately operating licenced waste carriers to check which can offer you the most cost-effective service.

Find a business waste collection service and a recycling collection service.