We’re building a movement to help make Leeds a zero waste city by 2030

See the latest updates on bins, waste and recycling

Our projects

What we’re currently working on

Recycling on-the-go

#LeedsByExample on-the-go recycling is back! In lockdown we focused on StayAtHome waste reduction but as our city opens up again, we're back promoting the benefits of recycling coffee cups, cans and plastic bottles.

Leeds truly leads the way on this - recycling rates tripled from 17% to 49% and it's being rolled out to other UK cities. We'll be building on that success, as well as adapting to reflect the times by providing practical support to people and businesses to help them waste less. See regular updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Zero Waste Fashion

We launched Zero Waste Fashion to help make it easier for people to recycle, reuse and repair clothing & textiles. We want to reduce the amount of clothing that ends of up in Leeds household bins - estimated at 4000 tonnes per year. See our map of all the textile banks, charity shops, repair shops, sewing classes and clothes exchanges in Leeds.

See our Zero Waste Fashion website

School uniform re-use

We want to make second-hand school uniform first choice in Leeds. Our Leeds School Uniform Exchange project is supporting people across the city to swap uniform at their school or in their local community.

Want to get involved?
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Got an idea?!

All the work we do begins with an idea. If there’s an issue in Leeds you think we should look into, tell us about it.

Let us know!

Our top tips

Ways to start reducing your waste

Recycling

Recycling can get a bit confusing at times - we're here to help to make it that bit easier.

Food waste

Research suggests many of us have reduced how much food we waste over the last couple of months.

Garden waste

Want to start composting, create wildlife habitats, or reuse what's in your garden?

Stuff

Clothes, furniture, electrical items... we can help to make sure these things doesn't go to waste.

See all of our tips

Our supporters

We’re building a movement. That means everything we do is collaborative and in partnership with others. See who we’re partnering with and who’s helping to fund our work here.

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Get involved

Issues we’re currently looking into in Leeds

Running event in Leeds

Join us to make school uniform reuse the norm in Leeds

Many families in Leeds struggle to afford new school uniforms for their...

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Running event in Leeds

Want help to be a sustainable business? Get in touch

We’re visiting businesses across Leeds to help them become more environmentally...

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Running event in Leeds

Join our fashion revolution

We'd like your help to explore what we can do reduce the environmental impacts...

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Need help?
Hire us!

Our expertise lies in developing behaviour change campaigns that help people and organisations to waste less.

Are you interested in us working with you?

We have a strong track record for developing engaging, impactful campaigns that create change. Our 10 week #stayathome waste reduction campaign - developed at the start of lockdown in March and delivered for Leeds City Council - is the latest example of this. You can read our impact report here.

Talk to us to find out more

Our thinking

Our latest thoughts on current issues

Carbon Copy circular economy event flyer

Engaging local people in the circular economy

How do you engage mainstream audiences in issues relating to what's often called the "circular economy"? This week Rob from Zero Waste Leeds was due...

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Carbon Copy circular economy event flyer

Let's make second-hand uniform the first choice in Leeds

Today we launched our latest project - which aims to make school uniform...

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Carbon Copy circular economy event flyer

Zero Waste Leeds feature on BBC Look North

Our campaign to encourage people to keep hold of good quality items so that...

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Carbon Copy circular economy event flyer

How can we build back better, together?

Ten weeks after first entering lockdown, our thoughts at Zero Waste Leeds...

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See more of our thinking

Join our movement

Every step of our journey we’re uncovering more people in Leeds who are curious, serious or passionate about reducing their waste. If you’re one of those people, join us.

Zero Waste Leeds is a project by Social Business Brokers CIC - a registered company in England and Wales 07272068.