Reduce or reuse your waste at home

Swap and borrow

One man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure. Exchanging something you no longer want for something you do could save you money, help protect the environment and make someone else very happy.

If you don’t want to borrow, swap or donate items you could try to sell them. You can put an advert in your local paper or shop window but you could also try popular sites like ebay and Gumtree.

Be a good swapper

  • Be honest. Honestly describe the item you’re swapping. If you pretend it still works when it doesn’t people won’t deal with you again.
  • Be realistic. You wouldn’t swap a computer for a book so it’s unlikely anyone else would.
  • Be safe. Don’t put yourself at risk. If someone is coming to your house make sure you have company or if you meet someone to collect an item go with a friend.
  • Keep your promises. If you say you’ll return an item on Wednesday make sure that you do. The owner might have plans that are spoiled by you not keeping your word.
  • Be flexible. Swapping isn’t an exact science, you might not get something that meets your exact requirements but you could get something even better if you keep an open mind.
  • Get a receipt. If you choose to pay to borrow something make sure you get a receipt so you can prove money has changed hands.

How to swap or borrow

There are websites you can use to help you swap and borrow. Each operates slightly differently. Before you use any site make sure you are happy with the way the site works and what you are required to do.

If you can’t find a local group on these sites, then you can start one.

Ecomodo

An online service that lets you lend and borrow each other’s everyday objects, skills and spaces. Join or set up a local lending area. You can choose to lend for free or to make a little money for a personal cause or for another organisation like a school or charity.

Freecycle

You join a local group. When you have items to give away you list them on the website and people who want that item will contact you. You make arrangements with them to take the item.

There are local freecycle groups for

Freegle

You join a local group. When you have items to give away you list them on the website and people who want that item will contact you. You make arrangements with them to take the item.

There are local Freegle groups for

Green Metropolis

Advertise your books for free and buy second-hand ones at a flat rate of £3.75. You get £3.00 for each book you sell and GreenMetropolis.com donates 5p for every book sold to the ‘Tree For All’ campaign run by the Woodland Trust.

Goodwill Gallery

Donate unwanted goods, services or time to UK charities.

ReadItSwapIt

Swap books you’ve read for books you haven’t.

StreetBank

Streetbank is a website that enables you to see all that your neighbours are giving away or lending. It works like a giant shared attic, garden shed, toolkit, fancy dress chest, library, DVD collection and skills bank for you and anyone living within 1000 yards of your home. It started in West London and it already has over 2,000 members in the area.