Further information

Join South Norfolk’s very own Freecycle group!

Freecycle is a simple idea: you give away for free what you have and don’t need and you receive for free what you need, but don’t have. This ‘free cycle’ of goods keeps lots of useful stuff out of landfill sites and is about thinking globally and recycling locally. Visit the Freecycle website now [external link].

Re-use... nappies

Use washable nappies! As well as reducing waste, they can save you up to £600 with your first child. See the Norfolk County Council website [external link] for information on the special discount available to families wanting to try out washable nappies.

Re-use... shopping bags

If you do take home carrier bags when shopping, re-use them.

Re-use... shredded paper

Shredded paper is very difficult to recycle – it is far better to reuse it as animal bedding or as insulation for packaging.

Do you really need to shred that piece of paper in the first place? Just remove any sensitive information and recycle the rest. Shredded paper can also be composted successfully.

Re-use... envelopes

Use envelopes again, stick a label over the original address.

Re-use... party plates & cups

Hire or borrow glasses/plates etc. when having a party, instead of using plastic disposable ones.

Re-use... clothes

Take your unwanted clothes and bric-a-brac to a charity shop, so someone else can use them.

Re-use... bottles

Buy products in refillable bottles.

Old plastic bottles cut in half make good mini propagators for seedlings. Plastic fruit or vegetable trays such as those that contain mushrooms, small tomatoes etc. can be used as seed trays. Better still – avoid all unnecessary packaging in the first place if you can.

Re-use... containers

Used plastic, cardboard, glass and metal containers can be put to use again – as containers! e.g. old film containers or some plastic confectionery containers make excellent containers for small items such as pins, screws etc. Used small jars are excellent for storing herbs and spices as they keep them airtight.

Re-use... CDs

Old, unplayable CDs and unwanted CDRoms can be used as reflectors for gateposts or as scare away birds from your garden. There are now a number of drop-off points for CD/CDR/DVD recycling - for further information see the Recycling centres in South Norfolk.

See our Useful waste reduction weblinks for links to a range of websites with more ideas on re-using your waste.

Related pages on this website

• Reduce your waste
• Recycle your waste
• Recycling centres
• Useful waste reduction web links

External links

Furniture Recycling Network
The FRN promotes the re-use of unwanted furniture and household effects for the alleviation of need, hardship, distress and poverty. Includes links to local organisations.

Junkk.com
A resource for reuse, recycling and repair news and information. Lots of ideas on reuse and also includes a forum.

Mini Scrapbox and Community Repaint
Collects unwanted materials locally for use in schools, and also paint for redistribution into the community.

Norfolk Homemakers Furniture Project (no website available)
Unwanted furniture and other household items reconditioned and used for vulnerable in local community.
5a Beckham Place, Norwich NR3 3DZ
Tel: 01603 487444 12.00 - 4.30pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Fridays. Saturday 12-3pm.

South Norfolk Freecycle Network
This is the dedicated South Norfolk network for people wanting to let go of items (or who may be looking for something in particular) to pass on to other people. Anyone can join the group and the only constraint is that all items posted must be free.

About links to other websites.