Reduce and Reuse

If you have something that needs fixing, your local repair cafe may be able to help you mend it. This helps prevent items being thrown out needlessly and saves the cost of buying a replacement. It's better for the environment too with less materials and energy needed to make new goods.

Volunteer repairers can tackle small electrical items such as toasters, hairdryers, lamps, radios and headphones. Clothing, garden tools, bikes, computers, hand tools and small items of furniture can also be considered for repair.

The repair service is free but donations are very welcome.

The cafes are very sociable events – often with free or low cost refreshments and a sense of community.

All the cafes welcome enquiries from potential volunteers with relevant skills and qualifications. Please contact them directly.

For more information about the movement generally visit Repair Cafes worldWide and The Restart Network.

Love Food Hate Waste is a national campaign to help cut down on household food waste.

Using up your food and ingredients:

• Saves money
• Reduces waste

All it takes to reduce your food waste is a few small changes.

There are lots of tips on how to cut down food waste and save money at the same time.

Guides are available on the campaign website to help you to get the best value from the food you buy. You can find out how to make the most of the time you have available to use it all up without it taking up lots of your own time.

There are lots of different options to try with easy, time and money-saving ways to tackle food that might end up in the bin. You can adapt and tailor them to suit your life the best.

The national scheme gives you lots of ideas and inspiration.

Why use washable nappies?

Babies typically need their nappy changing 5,000 times in roughly 2.5 years.

If you’re thinking of ditching the disposables for an option that’s kinder to your baby, your pocket and the planet then washable nappies might be a good choice. Derbyshire County Council offers a cashback incentive to help you with the costs. Find out more at Real nappies - Time for a Change - Derbyshire County Council

What are the benefits of washable nappies?

• They’re made from natural materials and don't use chemicals or gels
• Nappies made from bamboo fibre are up to 60% more absorbent than cotton
• Babies who use washable nappies tend to become potty-trained quicker than those who use disposable ones
• You can buy washable nappies made in adjustable sizes, so you can use the same one no matter what size your baby is there is no connection between washable nappies and nappy rash.

Are washable nappies more expensive?

Although initial costs are more expensive (around £200 and up), in the long run you could save more than £1,000 by using washable nappies. That includes washing costs. Find out more at moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Before you throw away an item, why not consider donating it. There are a large number of charity shops across the borough that will happily receive a range of second-hand item from clothes,  bric-a-brac, electricals and furniture.  

Donating unwanted items can help others and is great for the environment. Before you throw away an item, why not consider donating it. There are a large number of charity shops across the borough that will happily receive a range of second-hand item from clothes,  bric-a-brac, electricals and furniture.  

What you can donate

Different charity shops accept different things so you may want to check with your chosen charity first. But as a general rule most shops accept:

• clean clothes and textiles like curtains, tablecloths and bedding
• accessories – shoes, bags, jewellery
• books
• CDs and DVDs
• toys
• ornaments
• pictures
• crockery, cutlery and glassware
• musical instruments
• sports equipment

Some charities will take furniture and working electrical items, but check with them before you make the trip. 

There are also furniture projects which may collect large, bulky items for free.

Before you donate check your donations are both clean, undamaged and working.

Stop unwanted junk mail

Register with Mail Preference Service to have your name removed from many of the mailing lists used by junk mail companies and cut down on the amount coming through your letter box.

You can also ask companies to send you bills and other information by email or mobile instead of by post.