Think Green this September and join Zero Waste Month

THIS September residents are being encouraged to Think Green and reduce the food, clothes and other waste that ends up in their refuse bin.

Each year 33% of all food produced globally is lost or wasted, along with £140 million worth of used but still wearable clothing goes to waste in the UK every year. Additionally, 8% of all greenhouse gas emissions each year are due to food loss and waste.

Through reducing food waste, people can also save money on their weekly food shops. This can be done by storing food properly, using up leftovers and by planning meals. Residents can find recipes along with shopping lists and top tips here.

Across Tameside, residents will find re-fill stations, to top up a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated whilst reducing their plastic waste.

Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM) have their Renew project, which aims to create value from waste to benefit Greater Manchester (GM). R4GM take donated items from recycling centres across GM, then repair and renew them so they’re ready to be resold to a new home.

Households can donate furniture, electricals, toys, bikes and sporting equipment, gardening and DIY equipment, and white goods.

The money raised from the Renew project is donated to the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and Recycle for Greater Manchester Community Fund.

Clothing can also be recycled in order to reduce waste. Old clothes, regardless of the condition, contain valuable fibres that can be turned into other things to avoid the use of brand new materials.

Wearable clothing can be taken to charity shops or recycle clothes at clothing banks at the local recycling centres, supermarket carparks and in some clothing shops. Find the nearest one here.

By recycling unwanted clothing, it’s saving the clothes from going to waste and helping the environment. Old textiles can have a new lease of life and transformed into items like car seats, carpet underlay and even horse bedding.

Tameside Libraries are hosting a Children’s Fancy Dress Swap, residents can donate their pre-loved costumes to any Tameside Library during staffed hours before 2 October 2024. Costumes must be in good, clean condition.

To find out how to build a more sustainable wardrobe, along with other tips, click here.

Tameside Council Executive Member for Climate Emergency & Environmental Services Cllr Denise Ward said: “We’re encouraging all residents to reuse, renew and recycle as much as possible as by making the smallest of changes, together we are making the biggest differences.

“I encourage everyone to Think Green by reducing their waste and making changes to support the environment and build a better future for us all.”

For more information on how to Think Green, click here.