Greater Cambridge Recycles

01/09/2026

👖Did you know that buying a second-hand pair of jeans instead of a new pair can save over 30 kg of CO₂? that’s equal to making 600 cups of tea!

The global textile industry is responsible for 2-8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. New textile production requires intense water and land usage and can lead to pollution such as microplastics and chemical dyes leaching into the environment. Unfortunately, many clothing items get worn only a few times and are discarded quickly.

Choosing second hand keeps clothing in circulation for longer, prevent textiles from going into landfill and reduces the need to produce and buy new clothes. Making repeated use of the clothes already in your closet is another great way to reduce your environmental impacts - extending their life by just 9 months can reduce carbon, water, and waste impacts by 20-30%.

Take on the Second Hand September pledge by only choosing second-hand this month – are you up for the challenge?

How to find second-hand clothes?
🏪Visit local charity shops, car boot and jumble sales
📲Download online apps like Vinted and Depop
👬Hold a SWISH (clothing swap) in your neighbourhood
👚Raid your friends’ closets (and let them raid yours)!


South Cambridgeshire District Council

31/08/2026

✨Happy bank holiday! No changes to bin collections this week 🙂

29/08/2026

Lots of local Repair Cafes coming up!

Check each event on our website for booking details and what types of item are accepted.

https://cambridgecarbonfootprint.org/what-we-do/repair-cafes/visit-a-repair-cafe/

Are you finding these regular Repair Cafe reminders useful? Give us a thumbs up/down or comment to let us know.

27/08/2026

🪴Did you know that small plastic plant pots are now accepted in the blue bin for recycling?

♻️Pots must be empty and reasonably clean and dry - brush off any compost. Suitable pots are the kind that you buy plants in, not decorative or more rigid ones. Larger bucket-size pots are also not accepted.

🧑🏽‍🌾It's always better to re-use than recycle, so if you have more pots than you need check whether anyone else in your community needs some. Some garden centres also host a pot exchange.

26/08/2026

26/08/2026

How much can you fit in a bag for £5? 🛍️

Join us this October when our popular 'Fill a Bag' sale returns to the Education and Conference Centre in Shelford Bottom.

We'll provide the bag. You fill it in with women's, men's and children's clothing from the rails for just £5.

Friday 9 October 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10 October 10am - 4pm

Come and browse the pre-loved fashion and make a difference while picking up a bargain!

All the details and frequently asked questions are at https://ow.ly/BuBl50ZCleW

25/08/2026

♻️Did you know you can recycle clean plastic bags, wrappers and film in your blue bin? 😲

♻️Most soft plastics from household packaging, with the exception of metallic plastics, are accepted, including bread bags, carrier bags, mailing bags, toilet roll wrappers and cereal packets.

♻️After sorting the flexible plastics are made into pellets to supply manufacturers, which use them to make plastic bags, bin liners, pipes, plastic decking and other products.

✅Check out the image in the comments for more examples👇

21/08/2026

👚Did you know you can arrange a collection of unwanted clothing from your home? Ideal if you can't get to a charity shop during opening times or have a large amount to pass on.

🚚Just visit www.anglodoorstepcollections.co.uk

20/08/2026

Swish--- clearing out your wardrobe ahead of autumn? Come along to our Swish to give and receive clothes for FREE. We all know we have to reduce our carbon emissions, and this is a great way to do it. The fashion industry is the second biggest industrial polluter. Buying new clothes and wearing them just a few times has become normalised. We can reverse the trend. Diocese of Ely

Cambridge Carbon Footprint
https://carbonliteracy.com/fast-fashions-carbon-footprint/

20/08/2026

😾Is your pet a picky eater?

🐾If your cat or dog doesn't finish their wet food at mealtimes, if possible it's best not to leave it out for long periods as flies can lay their eggs on it. You can cover it and pop it in the fridge to offer it again at their next meal.

♻️For any food they don't finish up within two meals, did you know you can recycle it in your food waste caddy?