Waste prevention means we should:

• reduce the waste we create
• reuse items

This reduces the number of raw materials used to make new products, saves energy, saves you money and means less in your bins.

Here are just a few ways to prevent waste, though there are many more. Visit Recycle Now for a comprehensive guide.

Buy less or shop second-hand

Buying less or second-hand when you do buy is a great way to reduce waste. Here’s some ideas how:

• use charity shops and online platforms like freecycle
• visit our New to you shop, full of affordable reclaimed items
• use libraries, not just for books, there are libraries for other things too including nappies and toys
• repair using local repair shops or Bournemouth Repair Café events
• swap clothes with neighbours, look for a Swishing event near you or hold your own swishing party

Reduce packaging:

• avoid packaging, buy loose fruit and veg
• visit local zero waste shops, find your nearest using the Refill App
• switch to reusables e.g. bags for life and refillable cups and bottles
• City to Sea have more tips on how to use less plastic

Reduce food waste

Love Food Hate Waste is a campaign from WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) which highlights how wasted food is a waste of money and a major contributor to climate change.

According to WRAP UK households waste 6.5 million tonnes of it every year, 4.5 million of which is edible, enough to fill 38 million wheelie bins, or 90 Royal Albert Halls.

A lot of what we throw away could have been eaten and Love Food Hate Waste provides delicious recipes to make the most of the food in our fruit bowl, fridge and cupboards with handy hints for storing food, surprising facts on what can be frozen and much more. Here are a few hints:

• plan your shopping, only buy what you are likely to eat
• use what you buy, love your fridge and freezer to make food last longer and use leftover recipes
• measure portion sizes to make sure you only cook what you will eat
• use Community Fridges to share surplus food you are not going to use

Litter picking kits

Litter picking kits are available to borrow at the Poole Recycling Centre. The kit includes a litter picker, a black bin bag and a bag hoop. Please email wasteaware@bcpcouncil.gov.uk to arrange this.

Junk mail

If you want to be removed from junk mailing lists to cut down on the junk mail you receive, go to the Mail Preference Service website to register your details.

Reusable nappies

By using reusable nappies, parents can reduce their nappy bill by an average of £500 per baby we offer help to you get started with reusable nappies.

Reusable nappies also help the environment, one baby’s disposable nappies can fill 40 black bags in a year. Across the UK, around 8 million disposables are used every day.

Even more savings can be made by using reusable nappies for subsequent babies or by selling on your nappies after use.