Reduce, reuse and repair
This page introduces our initiatives to help you reduce, reuse and repair.
Repair Cafe grants programme for 2025 to 2026
We have created a grants programme for community groups to start their own Repair Cafes in their local areas.
What is a Repair Cafe?
A Repair Cafe is a community-driven space where volunteers help residents fix broken items. This helps to reduce waste, save money and promote sustainability.
These events typically focus on but are not limited to:
- repairing electronics and bikes
- mending clothes or textiles
We can fund up to £1,500 per application to cover essential costs, such as:
- venue hire
- payment for the fixers
- promotional material
- equipment
- operating costs
Important dates
- grant application opening date: 24 March 2025, 12pm
- grant application closing date: 11 May 2025, 12pm
- run Repair Cafes: June 2025 to March 2026
Who can apply
We accept applications from not-for-profit, value-driven groups working within the London Borough of Hackney.
These are generally the following organisations:
- registered charity or charitable incorporated organisation (CIO)
- charitable company or social enterprise (companies must have asset locks, be wholly not-for-profit and without share capital)
- Community Interest Company (CIC)
- company limited by guarantee (companies must have asset locks, be wholly not-for-profit and without share capital)
- Co-operative and Community Benefit Society
- unregistered community group
- structured group of residents
- schools
How to apply
For more information about the grant and how to apply, view the Grant guidance (google doc).
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.
Hackney Recycling
Address
Telephone
Opening times
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday – 9am to 5pm (telephone)
- Wednesday – 9am to 4pm (telephone)