Over 66,000 items have been swapped, repaired or recycled in Hampshire

It's thanks to the efforts of volunteers.

Author: Iona Stewart-RichardsonPublished 21st Oct 2022

Over 66,000 items have been swapped, repaired or recycled in Hampshire - thanks to the efforts of volunteers.

Repair cafes, libraries where people can borrow useful things for their home, projects and adventures, as well as reusable nappy libraries are some of the many creative ways communities are pulling together to waste less and help tackle climate change

Now, Hampshire County Council, is offering grants of up to £5,000 for other community organisations and groups to develop initiatives like these in their area, or come up with new ideas for ways to help Hampshire’s residents reduce waste by making items last longer.

Executive Member for Climate Change and Sustainability at the County Council, Councillor Jan Warwick, said: “I’m really pleased that we have been able to offer this funding and invite applications for a Waste Prevention Community Grant for a fifth year. Over the past four years we have seen how this funding has kickstarted many local businesses and launched several community-based innovative projects, helping us all to waste less.”

Grant funding is available to community groups, small businesses, schools, charities and parish councils to fund projects which are proven to work elsewhere and will introduce a new waste prevention, reuse or repair project to the local area, helping to build a network of waste prevention initiatives across Hampshire.

Thanks to grant funding in previous years, over 66,000 items have been swapped, repaired, or reused; 190 waste prevention events have been held; 2,000 volunteer opportunities created; and over £300,000 savings have been generated by residents through reusing, repairing or buying second hand.

Councillor Warwick added: “Since 2017, we have supported 80 projects across Hampshire, including cookery and upcycling classes in schools and swap events, all working to encourage us to reuse more and throw away much less.

“As this year’s hard-hitting storms and heatwave have shown, we are all experiencing the potentially devastating effects of climate change. It has never been more important for us to find different ways in which, both individually and collectively, we can lessen our impact on the planet and build for a green recovery centred around sustainability.”

Potential applicants are asked to discuss their ideas first with the Waste Prevention Team before applying. Please contact the team by emailing: waste.prevention@hants.gov.uk to arrange an informal discussion.

Organisations and community groups can find out more on the County Council's waste and recycling webpages including how to apply for a waste prevention grant.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 10 January 2023.

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