Reuse, repair, recycle
Reuse, Repair and Recycle are key to living sustainably. We could include Reduce and Refuse. Here are some tips on how to get started.
Use a reusable cup
Using a reusable cup, rather than a throwaway one, can make a big difference. And it can save you money as it’s often cheaper to buy a takeaway hot drink in your own cup. In the UK, we throw away over 2.5billion single-use cups every year. Around 300,000 disposable cups are thought to be used in Manchester every day. That’s a lot of waste!
Look out for the Bee Cup. We’re working with the University of Manchester and In Our Nature on a returnable cup scheme for the city. Find out more about the Bee Cup.
Refill
Manchester is an official Refill Destination. There are over 400 places in Manchester to refill a water bottle for free. Use the Refill app to find locations to fill up. And ask local cafes and businesses to join the scheme. Find out more about Refill Manchester.
Refuse single-use plastics
We've committed to getting rid of avoidable single-use plastics in Manchester by 2038. Refuse plastic bags if they’re offered to you. If you don’t need it, don’t feel you have to take it. Say ‘no thanks’ if you’re given a bag. Find out more about single-use plastics.
Repair cafés
Repair cafés are free events where you can take broken items to get them fixed. Expert volunteers power these little hubs dotted across the city. They’ll help you with any repair job – big or small. You can meet people, learn skills and work with the volunteers to make your items as good as new. Find your nearest repair café.
Give your things a new life
People often want the things you’re about to throw away. Cardboard boxes, materials left over from DIY projects – you name it someone is probably looking for it. You can use free websites to give away your unwanted stuff (and to find what you need).
There are Renew Hubs at many of the recycling centres (tips) in Greater Manchester. They repair and sell donated items in their Renew Shops. Find out more at www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com/renew.
Recycle
When items can’t be repaired or reused, they’re ready to be recycled. Our rubbish tips and recycling centres can take much more than they used to. Find out more about donating and recycling in Manchester.
Check for alternative ways to recycle items that cannot go in your home recycling bins. Medicine packaging such as blister packs cannot be recycled at home, but there are schemes that will take them. Recycle Now has useful information on recycling medicines and their packaging.