Waste Less, Use More: Simple Steps for Everyday Circular Living
Helping Resources Go Further
We're working to reduce waste, keep materials in use for longer and make the most of the resources that go into our products and operations. Through food redistribution, packaging improvements, recycling initiatives and our commitment to a more circular economy, we're helping reduce environmental impact while creating value for communities across the UK
Why Circularity Matters
A more circular approach helps keep products and materials in use for longer, reducing the need for new resources and helping to cut waste. Whether it's making the most of food, choosing reusable products or recycling correctly, small actions can have a collective impact.
Food Waste Action Week
Every year, Food Waste Action Week inspires people to take simple steps to reduce food waste. From smarter shopping and meal planning to making the most of leftovers, the campaign highlights easy actions that can save money, reduce environmental impact and help food go further.
Our top tips include:
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Plan meals before shopping
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Check cupboards before buying more
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Understand "best before" and "use by" dates
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Freeze ingredients before they spoil
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Get creative with leftovers
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Cook a little extra and store it in the fridge for lunch the next day
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Create an ‘Eat Me First’ shelf in the fridge for food that needs using up
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Plan a day per week – maybe ‘Freestyle Friday’ – to use up food near the end of its life
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The Freezer is your Friend – if you’re not going to use your fresh food or leftover meal portions then label them and freeze for another day or try batch cooking some meals
- Fix your caffeine fix!Carry a reusable coffee cup or flask. Around 2.5bn coffee cups are thrown away every year in the UK alone – that’s seven million a day!
- Bring your own bottlePlastic bottles are one of the most frequently found items on beach cleans globally. The lids commonly end up in seabirds’ stomachs.
- Ditch the cling filmCling film cannot be recycled, foil is recyclable. So if you are using foil, make sure you put it in the recycling bin after use!
Reuse More Every Day
Small swaps can reduce waste and help everyday items stay in use for longer
- Get organisedWash out old ice-cream tubs and use to store food or keep your pegs, batteries and other bits and bobs organised – you could even decorate the tubs using permanent markers.
- Green FingersYou can use yogurt pots to grow seeds and hydrate the seeds by using food trays, for water trays. Why not draw a smiley face on the yogurt pot so it looks like you’re growing hair?
Give Items a Second Life
£millions worth of clothing goes to landfill in the UK each year, which creates harmful greenhouse gases. But it doesn’t have to end up there… Make your own pair of shorts! Just pop your knee through your jeans to measure up and cut off the bottoms.
Repair
Give it a little TLC
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Sew on a missing button instead of replacing a garment.
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Repair small tears before they become bigger.
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Replace shoelaces, insoles or zips to extend the life of shoes and bags.
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Refresh furniture with a coat of paint rather than buying new.
Donate
Share what you no longer need
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Donate good-quality clothing to local charities.
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Pass on children's clothes, toys and books to friends and family.
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Donate unwanted household items to community groups and reuse charities.
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Offer usable items through local sharing or community networks.
Repurpose
Get creative with everyday items
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Turn glass jars into storage containers.
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Reuse ice cream tubs for food storage or organisation.
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Use yoghurt pots as plant pots for herbs and seedlings.
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Transform old T-shirts into cleaning cloths.
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Use delivery boxes for storage or crafts.
Textile Recycling
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Recycle your old clothes and textiles through ToYou and enjoy 10% off at George.com
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Recycle clothing that is no longer wearable.
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Include shoes, bedding and household textiles.
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Encourage customers to use textile collection points where available.
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Promote Asda's textile recycling offer.
