Reduce, reuse and repair

This page introduces our initiatives to help you reduce, reuse and repair.

 

Sustainability Day 2024

Join us for our annual Sustainability Day at the Hackney Service Centre this year.

When: Saturday 29 June 11am to 4pm.

Where: Hackney Service Centre E8 1DY

This is a low waste, zero single-use plastic event where you can get advice on energy-saving and sustainable living.

You can also check out the sustainable campaigns, initiatives, and organisations working in Hackney.

Join this fun-filled, family-friendly day full of workshops, eateries, stalls, activities, demonstrations and more.

The event is free to attend and open to all.

What we offer on the day

Reuse appeal

Hackney Libraries and the Sustainability team are working together to provide extra support for residents this winter. See below details on how you can help.

Services to help you reuse, share or trade items

Help us move to a circular economy by reusing, sharing or trading items you no longer want or need. These acts of reuse help our community and reduce waste.

Below is a list of services where items such as furniture, small appliances and other household items can be reused:

  • Ferris is the Zero Waste App for giving and getting once-loved items for free. You can declutter your home, save great stuff from disposal and pick up items from your neighbour for free. Ferris is available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
  • TipTapp is a company that helps you move items in and out of your home, get rid of things and get giveaways delivered to your doorstep. Tiptapp is also available on the App Store and Google Play Store.
  • Reuse swapping sites such as Freecycle or Freegle allows you to give items away and also seek unwanted goods in your local area.
  • LoveJunk is a waste removal marketplace which helps you to find the cheapest collector for bulky waste. You can also get preloved items like furniture, appliances, mattresses and building materials for free.
  • British Heart Foundation (BHF) allows you to donate your unwanted furniture, homeware and electrical items using their free collection service.
  • OLIO is an app which allows you to give away food and other household items to your neighbours, all for free. Olio is also available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Dalston library of things

Dalston Library of Things is a social enterprise that helps people save money and reduce waste by affordably renting out useful items like drills, sound systems and sewing machines from local spaces – and by helping neighbours share practical skills.

See Dalston Library of Things.

Reuse and repair pop-up events

  • Saturday 14 September at Grazebrook Primary School
  • Saturday 23 November at Gainsborough Primary School
  • Saturday 15 March at Woodberry Down Primary School

Reuse and repair pop-up events allow you to:

  • donate items you don’t need
  • take items you need
  • book to repair clothes
  • free Dr.Bike session – first come, first serve
  • book an electrical item repair
  • donate your reusable laptop

We deliver them in partnership with Forest Recycling Project and Hackney Fixers.

Clothes and textile reuse banks

Around Hackney, there are 90 clothing banks where you donate clothes to our partnering charities:

Map of clothes and textiles reuse banks

Red hangars show clothes banks.

Clothes swap shops

When you attend a clothes swap shop you give us your unwanted clothes and receive a token in return. You use the token to get items.

Eat more sustainably

We’re proud to be part of Eat Like a Londoner, a first of its kind food platform for Londoners. It pulls together the very best recipes, hacks, tips and tricks to deliver a weekly dose of inspiration that will help you save money, eat better and help the planet.

Try reusable nappies for free

Hackney residents can try reusable nappies for free by applying for a £70 voucher

There is a reusable nappy community that organises events and provides support. 

Visit Hackney Real Nappy Network.

Reduce single-use plastics

You can reduce single-use plastic by:

  • using a refill water station
  • attending a plastic free workshop
  • using a zero waste shop

Map of zero waste shops

Contact us if your shop accepts refills and you’d like to be listed on our map.

Composting and water butts

Page updated on: 4 September 2024

Hackney Recycling

Address

Hackney Service Centre
1 Hillman Street
London
E8 1DY

Telephone

Opening times

  • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 9am to 5pm (telephone)
  • Wednesday – 9am to 4pm (telephone)