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Waste Less. Clean Spaces. Better Places. Small changes that make a big difference

Whether it’s packing school lunches, shopping for the week ahead or clearing out the garage, we all create waste every day.

But what if making less waste was easier than you think?

That’s the idea behind our new Waste Less. Clean Spaces. Better Places campaign.

Over the next month we’ll be sharing practical tips, local ideas and simple swaps to help households across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse reduce waste, save money and help create cleaner communities.

Why are we launching this campaign?

Small changes really do make a difference.

Most of us want to waste less. We want to save money, recycle more and leave a cleaner environment for our children, however, life is busy and knowing where to start isn’t always easy.

But, when thousands of households each make one small change, together we can make a big difference.

Instead of asking people to make big lifestyle changes, we’re focusing on small actions that can easily become everyday habits.

Things like:

  • Shopping with a list to avoid buying too much.
  • Using leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch.
  • Borrowing something instead of buying it.
  • Repairing an item before replacing it.
  • Choosing products with less packaging.
  • On their own, these actions might seem small—but when lots of us make them, they can have a real impact.
A close-up view of a person using scissors to cut fabric from a pair of denim jeans on a wooden table, surrounded by sewing tools such as spools of thread, a tape measure, a thimble, and a zipper.

This week’s challenge

Can you choose just one of these five actions to try this week?

✔ Do a stock check of your kitchen cupboards and freezer and plan meals around the food you already have.

✔ Make a shopping list of what you need, and stick to it without buying anything extra.

✔ Try to choose fruit and veg without packaging.

✔ Fill up a used food or toiletries container at a refill station, saving money and reducing waste.

✔ Find an old or unwanted item to repair, donate or share.

A smiling woman with glasses and blonde hair holding a cardboard box clearly labeled "DONATION" filled with clothing, standing in front of an open wardrobe closet.

Start with one – if it becomes a habit, why not try another next week

Together, we can waste less, create cleaner spaces and build better places for everyone.

To find out more, check our news page – New campaign encourages residents to Waste Less and create Cleaner, Better Places