Join the swap for a greener community

Plastic Free July is a global movement to reduce plastic waste through simple, everyday choices and and help tackle plastic pollution. This month, join us in taking simple steps to create cleaner streets, healthier wildlife and a greener borough.

Reducing plastic use in Richmond 

Single-use plastics can build up quickly, but small changes make a difference.

Small changes can include:

• Keeping a reusable water bottle, coffee cup, and shopping bag with you to avoid single-use items when you are out
• Making your own lunch to take out in a container and bringing containers for takeaway food or leftovers where possible
• Using materials that are widely recyclable, avoiding mixed plastics where possible
• Repairing instead of replace using local repair cafés or services

Read our tips for reducing plastic use for practical ways to cut plastic at home, on the go and in your community, from choosing reusable items to finding local refill and recycling options. 

We are committed to reducing plastic use through the London Councils’ One World Living programme, phasing out single-use plastics by 2030 and supporting residents and businesses to reuse, refill and repair through The Fixery. 

We encourage everyone to:

• Refuse what you don't need
• Reduce what you use
• Reuse as much as possible
• Recycle what is left

At The Fixery, you can swap, share and repair items, and refill your household cleaning products at the refill shop. Our aim is to create a local model of circular living, reducing waste and strengthening community resilience.

Recycle responsibly 

Not all plastics can go in your recycling box. In Richmond upon Thames, you can recycle clean plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, but items like carrier bags, crisp packets, bubble wrap, polystyrene and plastic toys should be recycled elsewhere or disposed of correctly. 

Find out which plastics can be recycled in Richmond.

There are new simpler recycling rule. Key changes include:

• Cartons can now go in mixed recycling, along with more items such as clean aluminium food trays and empty squeezy tubes
• From March 2027, you will be able to recycle plastic film and carrier bags in your mixed recycling box

Find out about changes to household waste collections.

Borrow instead of buy

Buying something new often means more plastic through packaging, protective wrapping and plastic parts that may only be used once or twice before being stored away or thrown out. Borrowing helps cut that waste at the source while keeping useful items in circulation for longer.

Through Library of Things, you can borrow more than 30 items, including projectors, tents, repair tools and many more useful things, instead of buying them new. It’s a simple way to save money, reduce clutter and avoid unnecessary plastic packaging.

First-time borrowers can get 15% off with code TKLOT15.