Reduce, reuse and repair in Bexley
Learn how to reduce and reuse your items and discover how what you discard can become a valuable resource for the future. By using and wasting less, you help transform today’s waste into useful materials for tomorrow.
On this page you will find information about free workshops, smart shopping, home and garden hacks and other useful groups that could help you to reduce how much you throw away and increase how many items you reuse and repair.
Buying less – reducing what you use is the best thing you can do as it reduces the strain on resources. Renting is a great way to do this.
Using stuff again and again – reusing what you have and making the most of your items is the best way to save money whilst helping the environment. Learn how to do this through our workshops.
Lastly, recycle what is left. Recycling is actually the last thing we should consider before waste disposal. We should recycle materials where possible but more importantly we should try to buy less.
Reuse workshops, pop-ups and events
The council run a number of workshops, pop-ups and events throughout the year to inspire residents to reuse and repurpose items whilst learning and practising key skills.
Why not join us for fun workshops all about working with different materials from cooking up tasty dishes to creating with textiles and upcycling furniture.
New classes are added each month. Follow us on social media or subscribe to our recycling newsletters to stay updated.
Smart shopping
Refill at the Wasteless market
Visit the Wasteless market and refill your common household items such as liquid detergents, body wash, shampoo.
Venues are subject to change – please visit their website for updated information.
Single use plastics
Where possible avoid buying single use plastics. Use a bag for life and a reusable water bottle.
Refill your water bottle at our water refill stations at Belvedere Splash Park recreation area, Danson House Lodge and Franks Park, Broadway Bexleyheath, Abbey Wood Station, Welling Library and Cray Gardens.
For more information try Refill a free app that connects you to places to eat, drink and shop with less waste.
Do I need it?
Before you buy something think, do I need it? Can it be bought in reusable packaging? Can I buy it from a second hand shop?
Second hand jewellery can be more unique than something bought from a mainstream shop. The same applies to second hand clothes.
Re-gift items you don’t need or buy vouchers and experiences instead.
Leave it out day
This event normally takes place twice a year and is run by Discover Welling. Please visit their website for updated information on dates and times.
During these dedicated times you can leave items that you no longer want (but you think are too good for the reuse and recycling centre) out on your drive, clearly marked for people to help themselves.
If you take part, at the end of the day you must dispose of anything left over yourself. No items are allowed on pavements or in public areas.
Join Bexley Green Points
Get rewarded for your waste reducing efforts with Bexley Green Points.
Join over 18,000 Bexley households taking part in activities to reduce waste, reuse and recycle. Earn Green Points for every action and compete with your neighbours to win monthly voucher prizes.
Garden and house
Water butts
Harvest and recycle the rainwater which falls on the roof of your home and use it on your garden.
Perhaps ask on Freegle, Freecycle or Olio for an unwanted one first before buying a new one.
You can buy a water butt for your garden by visiting get composting.
Home composting
Compost your own garden waste to improve soil health for free.
You can buy a compost bin for your garden.
Grow your own
Visit RHS for top tips on how to grow your own.
Food waste
Visit our food waste page for more information, by reducing your food waste you can save up to £1,000 per year for the average household.
Come along to a cookery workshop, visit our Eventbrite page for more information.
Clothing
All clothing, textiles, accessories, and household textiles should be reused or recycled unless they are soiled or, for example, covered in paint.
There are many ways to reuse/recycle your clothing, visit textile recycling.
- Charity shops*
- TRAID - kerbside collection in partnership with the London Borough of Bexley
- Selling them through online market places or apps
You can mend your items of clothing. If you need help come along to one of our workshops.
Use online groups with friends such as 'WhatsApp' to share photos and a description of your unwanted items.
Try the art of Sashiko (invisible mending) of clothes or visible mending such as adding a patch.
*some charity shops accept rags (please check with them first).
Clothes alterations available at the Exchange
This is a community initiative based in Erith that tackles textiles waste through a community repair service and workshops.
Extend the life of your clothes
For top tips on how to extend the life of your clothes visit Hubbub an award-winning environmental charity that’s all about inspiring action that’s good for the environment and for everyone.
How to run a clothes swap
A clothes swap is a fun way to link with your local community, swapping your unwanted items of clothing for others.
Groups and awards
Green schools award
If you have a practical, eco-friendly idea that your school or college is excited to develop, or an existing environmental project that requires extra funding to finish, why not enter the green schools award? It doesn’t need to be complicated, often simplest is best.
Winners will receive up to £500 towards implementation of the project and the funds will need to be spent within the following year.
For more information email swac@bexley.gov.uk.
Join Bexley's recycling focus group
Become a member of the Waste and Recycling Focus group. We meet 4 times a year to discuss updates on waste and recycling within the borough. It is also a great opportunity to share your ideas and provide constructive feedback.
Email wasteteam@bexley.gov.uk to ask to join the group.
Join the Bexley reusers
A small group of like minded residents with an interest in mending things and learning new skills. They meet monthly on the last Saturday of the month.
If you are interested email wasteteam@bexley.gov.uk to join the group.
Take part in Bexley's Recycling Challenge
Visit Erith, Sidcup, Welling, Central, Crayford or Thamesmead library to borrow a litter picking kit for the whole family.
This challenge has four themes with a Litter picking activity; quiz; recycling batteries and a reading challenge. Children receive a certificate and a small prize (subject to availability).
For more information visit our libraries webpage.
Enjoy the activities at Bexley Ecofestival
A biennial event – The Bexley Ecofestival takes place at Lesnes Abbey in Abbey wood, with a focus on health and wellbeing and the environment there are many stalls promoting reusing items, information stalls, chill out zones, live music and entertainment – last year we had story telling, old school sports race games, clothes swap, drumming workshops, yoga, meditation and craft weaving in the woodland classroom plus much more.
To keep informed about the day visit our Eventbrite page to register or for updated information. Next festival in 2026.
Top tips
Reuse top tips
- Use silicon or plastic boxes to cover food rather than cling film so that they can be washed and used again. You can also use tin foil as that can be scrunched into a ball for recycling once finished with as long as it is not too greasy/dirty
Wrapping presents
- Reuse old paper or paper bags and add some embellishments
- Try the art of Furoshiki – wrap your presents in a material like a silk or cotton scarf. It becomes part of the gift itself and can be used again and again. This is a perfect and thoughtful way to make your present unique. There are many Youtube videos on how to do this and it only takes minute to learn and master the technique.
- Avoid plastic lined paper, do the scrunch test, if it doesn’t spring back it is non-foil so it can be recycled
Party bags
- Try to fill with items that can be easily recycled such as colouring pads, or avoid altogether and spend more on a something tasty to take home to eat