One of the themes of One Action Together is reducing waste. Millions of tons of plastic and other waste products enter our oceans, rivers, and landscapes each year. This waste harms wildlife, disrupts ecosystems, and contributes to the degradation of natural resources. By taking proactive steps to reduce litter and plastic use, we can significantly lessen our environmental impact.
St Albans District is good at recycling plastic but we use a lot of it.
Once you have taken an action to reduce waste make sure to share it on your social media tagging @stalbansgreenertogether.
Cutting Down on Single-Use Plastic
To reduce our plastic use we need to cut down on single-use plastics.
This can be done by:
1. Use reusable bags
- Switch from plastic bags to cloth or reusable shopping bags.
2. Opt for a reusable water bottle
- Avoid buying bottled water; carry a reusable bottle instead.
3. Choose packaging-free or minimal packaging products
- Buy products with little to no plastic packaging, or from bulk bins.
4. Avoid single-use plastics
- Say no to plastic straws, utensils, and cups when dining out.
5. Invest in reusable containers
- Use glass, stainless steel, or bamboo containers instead of single-use plastic ones.
6. Switch to compostable products
- Use compostable or biodegradable alternatives for plates, cutlery, and food storage.
7. Support sustainable brands: Shop from companies that use eco-friendly, plastic-free packaging.
- Jefferson Eco on London road provide a collection of local sustainable brands to help with more mindful shopping,
8. Avoid plastic wrap
- Use beeswax wraps or silicone lids as an alternative to plastic wrap.
9. Donate or repurpose plastic items
- Reuse or repurpose plastic containers or donate them to organizations that might need them.
10. Participate in clean-up events
- Join local efforts to clean up plastic waste in your community. Local community litter picking groups include Batchwood Pickers, St Albans Pickers, The Parish Pickers. There are also anti-plastic and waste reduction campaigns including Plastic Free St Albans and Harpenden.
Once you have taken an action to reduce plastic waste make sure to share it on your social media tagging @stalbansgreenertogether.
Let’s show local people taking local action.
Reducing Clothes Waste
1.Buy Less, Choose Wisely
Opt for quality over quantity, choosing durable and timeless pieces.
2. Shop Secondhand
Purchase clothes from thrift or charity shop, or online resale platforms.
3. Repair and Mend
Fix minor damages like loose buttons or small tears instead of discarding items.
4. Upcycle and Reuse
Turn old clothes into new items (e.g., make rags, bags, or even homewear).
5. Donate or Sell Unwanted Items
Give away clothes you no longer wear or sell them to extend their life.
6. Care for Clothes Properly
Wash and store clothes properly to make them last longer (e.g., wash in cold water, air dry).
7. Choose Sustainable Fabrics
Look for clothing made from organic or recycled materials.
8. Avoid Fast Fashion
Limit purchases from fast-fashion brands that promote excessive consumption
9. Rent Clothing
Rent outfits for special occasions rather than buying new ones
10. Repurpose Old Clothes
Use fabric from old clothes for new projects, such as quilts or patchwork items
11. Organise Clothing Swaps
Swap clothes with friends or at community events to refresh your wardrobe without buying new items.
There are lots of great local initiatives that encourage reducing clothes waste.
- Sustainable St Albans District fixers are often putting on repair fairs, keep an eye on their events page to make sure you know when these are on and can book your place.
- Jefferson Eco run lots of sessions where you can learn to sew, crochet and many other craft techniques that help reduce waste. Check out their website to see what’s on and book a place.
Once you have taken an action to reduce clothes waste make sure to share it on your social media tagging @stalbansgreenertogether.
Let’s show local people taking local action.
Example Post
Caption: Today I did my food shop with a reusable bag and used my reusable water bottle to do my part to reduce single-use plastic use in the District. @stalbansgreenertogehter #OneActionTogether