What We Buy and Waste

Create a business waste audit & registry

Establish a registry where businesses can document all the different types of waste that they produce and make public the different waste they have available for other businesses to use. Businesses will be encouraged to be transparent about their use of materials and energy and the waste they create. Residents chose this project to create opportunities for local businesses to reduce costs by reusing waste and growing their business, and support smaller local businesses who are already trying to be more eco-friendly.

Help communities recycle plastic locally

Simplify plastic recycling, facilitated by council collecting, to encourage more recycling locally. Where possible, this plastic would be used as material and put back into the community. For example, plastics could be reused for fibres in insulation. This project was chosen as something anyone could access and do, as plastic waste is a big issue.

Reduce, repurpose, reuse: create a library of things

Establish a communal space that promotes co-operative use of tools, repair of items and involvement in community companionship. 

The programme could incorporate a tool library, workshop space, repair facility or repair cafe which supports skills sharing and educational outreach. This project was chosen to reduce the need to buy new things, enable and empower repairing and self-sufficiency, and build community unity through sharing knowledge and skills. 

Introduce community clothing swaps

Encourage wider participation of clothing swaps including uniforms, maternity wear, etc. This project was chosen to reuse and extend the life of clothing, reduce costs to individuals and households, and build community spirit through swap events. 

Improve local refill knowledge and capacity

Promote Refill Selby to raise awareness and increase availability of refill options locally. This will provide the community with better information about what is available, how it works, and what you need, which will encourage wider uptake. The rationale for choosing this project was to reduce food waste and disposable packaging locally, support local business employment opportunities and create affordable options.

You can check out the goals for our other themes here:

Click here to access our handy jargon buster

Jargon Busting

  • A Waste Audit is an examination of your waste, that focuses on the type and volume of waste you are producing during a given timeframe. This can draw attention to any mistakes businesses may be making when it comes to waste disposal, such as failing to separate specific products. Waste audits can reveal costly, wasteful problems or unlock opportunities like new revenue streams. They are essential for maximizing the effectiveness of programs, measuring success, and improving operations.

    Find out more: https://www.businesswaste.co.uk/waste-management-audit/

  • Insulation is a thick layer of a substance that keeps something warm, especially a building.

  • Act of filing (a container) again.

    Refill shops tend to be small, independent stores that sell non-packaged food requiring shoppers to bring your own (BYO) containers; most of the time it will be dry goods like pasta, rice, oats, spices, nuts, cereals, and oils but occasionally they also provide locally sourced produce. They can also sell many other sustainable products, like refill cleaning products, soaps, and homewares.

    Find out more: https://www.savemoneycutcarbon.com