Recycle and reuse

Recycle, upcycle - and make do and mend! Production of household waste needs to decrease by 33% by 2037 to reach recommended emissions targets. So get out that needle and thread!

I have taken this action I pledge to take this action

Mend

Clothing - The fashion industry accounts for about 10% of global carbon emissions so anything you can do to reduce the number of clothes you buy is vital. Sewing on a button, mending a hole or refashioning a garment completely are great ways to make items last a lot longer. Look out for local repair events. More and more brands are also now offering repair services.

Electronics - Fixing your electrical appliances can be great for your pocket and the planet. If you're not sure about fixing something yourself then keep an eye out for local stores and projects that offer a fixing service. Repair Cafe and The Restart Project hold events up and down the country to help people give their items a new lease of life!

Tins - tins from food can be washed and refashioned into lovely plant or candle holders.

Jars - glass jars can be used to store everything from food, cotton buds, pens and plants.

Plastic bottles -these have endless uses! Cut them open to protect your plants from slugs in the garden, create a bird feeder or get crafty with the kids and make bottle animals!

What you can't reuse - recycle! Make sure you make use of all local recycling initiatives, and follow guidance on what you can recycle from home. Supermarkets now take harder-to-recycle items such as plastic bags or crisp packets.

Upcycle

Furniture - the manufacturing of sofas, wardrobes, tables and chairs has a huge carbon footprint! Fast fashion is a big problem with cheap brands encouraging consumers to keep up with the trends whether or not a new item is needed. So fight the power - and get creative! Recover your soft furnishings and sand down and repolish tables and cabinets. And, if you do want something new - why not think about refashioning some reclaimed wood into a bedside table yourself! Pinterest is a great place to find ideas!

Household items - when something breaks use it as an excuse to get creative! Could the waterproof fabric on a broken umbrella be turned into a tote bag? Could an old sweater become a new cushion cover? How about turning an old wardrobe into a new planter!

Thanks for taking action

Thank you! Every step we take as individuals, even the smallest of actions, can make a huge impact when we all work together.

We're keen to learn more about what people in our region are doing to help wildlife. If you wouldn't mind taking a moment to tell us a bit more, this will help us build a better picture of what actions people are planning to take, and where.

Action you have taken:

Please select the relevant option:

I am pledging to take this action

I have taken this action

Would you like to tell us more about your action?

First name

Last name

Postcode (uppercase and containing a space)

The location where you took your action, whether this is your home, workplace, community venue or somewhere else.

Email address

Would you like to get news and updates from the Lancashire Wildlife Trust?

We'd love to send you our regular Nature Notes newsletter, full of tips to help you connect with nature, events that may interest you, and the latest news from around the Trust. We hope you enjoy these wild updates but if not, you can unsubscribe at any time.

By signing up to our mailing list you are opting in to receive emails about events, local wildlife, campaigns, appeals and our further work. We respect your privacy and will never sell your details, and you may change your preferences at any time. For more information about how we use your data please click here, and if you have any questions, please call 01772 324129 or email info@lancswt.org.uk.