ZeroWasteChallenge

People in Hackney could be in with a chance of winning £100 to spend at zero waste food shops if they reduce the waste they create next month. 

In conjunction with Zero Waste Week, Hackney Council is encouraging people to take its Zero Waste Challenge during September and reduce waste by avoiding single-use items and reusing and recycling others. 

Taking the challenge will reduce people’s impact on the planet - where single-use plastics languish on landfill, clog up the world’s oceans and harm wildlife. 

There’s something for everyone to try: if residents currently don’t recycle much, they can give food recycling a go, or if they recycle a lot, residents can start to avoid single-use disposable items and explore low-waste living. 

People can start with simple tasks, like switching from shampoo bottles to soap bars or buying loose fruit and vegetables instead of packaged ones.

To take part, visit www.hackney.gov.uk/zero-waste and register. 

People can also look out for the Council’s tips on social media throughout September, which will have the tag #ZeroWasteHackney. Residents taking part in the Zero Waste Challenge can also tag their posts with this. 

How does the Zero Waste Challenge work?

Step 1 – register – the challenge kicks off on 1 September, in the lead up and throughout the challenge we will be in touch with you to share some tips and provide you a tool to track your waste production.

Step 2 – challenge yourself – during your Zero Waste challenge, avoid single use items, reuse and recycle. Make sure you plan ahead so that you’re ready. At the end of each week, take photos and make notes of the waste you have produced. Share your #ZeroWasteHackney tips throughout September.

Step 3 – share the results by submitting the forms we will provide you throughout the month and emailing your photos to recycling.team@hackney.gov.uk.

Top recycling tips for Zero Waste Week 

At home

Ditch the wet wipes, cut up old sheets or use flannels that can be washed or reused

Switch to a bamboo toothbrush with a biodegradable handle

Make your own beauty products, search online for recipes such as a body exfoliator made

Use eco period products like a menstrual cup or period panties

Try real cloth nappies, get a £54 voucher from Hackney Council to get started

Make your own cleaning products - use white vinegar, baking soda, oils and water 

Eating and drinking at home

Ditch the crisp packet, bring your own snacks like nuts out with you in a reusable container

Make your own lunch, save money and reduce plastic packaging 

Bake your own treats like flapjacks to cut out sweet wrappers which can’t be recycled

Store in jars, buy sundries like rice and spices loose and keep in jars

Regrow kitchen scraps like potatoes and herbs 

Ditch the cling film, use a container 

Switch up the plastic shower gel bottles to a bar of soap

Switch from non-compostable tea bags to loose leaf tea

Use a food waste bin and start recycling your food waste

Start composting at home, order a subsidised compost bin from Hackney Council

Switch from single use tissues to cloth handkerchiefs that can be washed and reused 

Reusing and repairing 

Donate unwanted goods to charity or put on online sharing sites like freecycle

Repair your clothes don’t throw them away

Visit a cobbler, get your old shoes re heeled 

Fix your household items, check the map for your nearest repair shop or attend a Hackney Fixers event

Out and about 

Say no to plastic freebies 

Buy loose, visit local markets to buy your fruit and veg loose in a paper bag, or bring along your own string bag

Order a junk mail pack to reduce unwanted flyers 

Avoid single use plastics, like straws and drinking cups

Take out a reusable coffee cup 

Take a reusable water bottle out and about

Carry a spork, a cloth napkin and a lightweight tupperware to avoid single use plastics

Get a library card and support the sharing economy