Reduce and reuse

Recycling is one important way to do something about London's waste problem, as it reduces the amount of rubbish that ends up being buried in landfill or incinerated. But recycling alone will not solve the problem, it will only help to reduce it. A better approach is to reduce the amount of waste we produce.

The best way of managing our rubbish is not to produce it in the first place – this is known as ‘waste reduction’. After that we can think about reusing the materials that we do produce before they end up as rubbish.

The challenge is to change our attitudes and behaviour to reduce or reuse more, so that there is less rubbish going to landfill or being incinerated.

By taking some small steps, you can help make a real difference and reduce London’s rubbish.

For some ideas take a look at the pages in this section on reuse, reducing waste, and buying recycled - both 'new' products from recycled materials and items being recycled via charity shops.