What you can do

Ways of helping combat pollution

This section of the website will provide information on three major ways people can help stop the growing menace of waste pollution.

Take the "One Bag A Week" challenge

The "One Bag a Week" challenge is an environmental initiative, notably promoted by councils like Lambeth and Southwark, encouraging households to reduce their non-recyclable rubbish to just one bin bag per week. The goal is to maximize recycling, minimize waste, and support carbon-neutral targets by 2030.

Recycle plastic

Many plastic items can be recycled. Finding out which ones can be difficult, but by looking at the look for the triangle resin identification code on the bottom, you can make a difference and stop plastic being decycled. The code ranges from 1 and 2 (easily recycled) to 7 (not recyclable at your house).

1. Resin Code 1 (PET or PETE): Single-use bottles (water, soda), peanut butter jars, and some yogurt cartons.


2. Resin Code 2 (HDPE): Milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and butter tubs.


3. Resin code 3 (PVC): This is harder to recycle due to the low demand for recycled PVC, as it is less durable.


4. Resin Code 4 (LDPE): Often plastic bags and wrapping; sometimes accepted at specialized supermarket collection points.


5. Resin code 5 (PP): Resin code 5 represents Polypropylene (PP), a strong, durable, lightweight plastic. It's commomly accepted for recycling, and often is what tupperware containers are made of.


6. Resin code 6 (PS): Plastic recycling symbol PS 6 refers to Polystyrene (PS), commonly known as Styrofoam when expanded. It is used for disposable coffee cups, take-out containers and meat trays, but cannot be recycled.


7. Resin code 7: Stuff that isn't included in other resin codes. May or may not be recyclable, depending on what it is.