My council only collects rubbish once a fortnight. Here's how I cut my waste to one bag

Telegraph

16-07-2025

Every time I drive from my house into Manchester, I am confronted by Pilsworth South Landfill, an unsightly hill that could be mistaken for the surface of the moon. I've watched diggers working on it day and night, to cap the rubbish and contain the smells produced from a dump site that is rapidly running out of space.
As a small island, we're not blessed with places to put our waste, and many sites, like Walleys Quarry in Staffordshire, have been closed for good after years of plaguing residents.
While I'm not in Pilsworth's direct shadow, I am constantly aware of the effect that it has on the people around it. Last year, there were 'unacceptable odour issues' arising from the site, caused by fresh waste being tipped and a rotten egg smell from hydrogen sulfide building up in rotting waste.
The situation is dire - and set to get worse. Scotland's landfill ban comes into force at the end of the year, and it's estimated this could mean 100 truckloads of waste being dumped in England every day.
Pilsworth's operators, Valencia Waste Management, have applied for a permit to process even more mixed non-hazardous waste at the site – despite councillors' concerns about 'over-tipping'.
All of this has really driven home how vital it is to protect not just the environment itself, but also the people living near these overflowing dumps. When the stench becomes unbearable, the Environment Agency's advice is often simply to keep the windows shut – hardly ideal when it's 30 degrees outside.
After actively working to cut down my waste, I now produce just one bag of rubbish every fortnight – and I'd like to reduce that even further. But I'm also aware that in the endless battle against wastefulness and pointless packaging, there's only so much any of us can do on our own. I see my choices as a vote for a world without single-use plastic and unnecessary wrapping, but it's almost impossible to avoid them entirely.
So how did I do it? Here are the steps I've taken to cut my household rubbish down to just one bin bag every two weeks – all in an effort to protect the environment.
I compost nearly all of my food waste
Food waste is a huge issue, with households responsible for around 60 per cent of it. As a keen gardener, I compost every banana skin and eggshell from my kitchen, collecting them in a caddy and adding them to my garden heap. Over weeks and months, they break down and turn the compost patch into a haven for worms, insects and birds. Pet hair, coffee grounds and plastic-free tea bags can all go on the heap too, though cooked food should be put in the food waste recycling bin instead. Most councils – though not all – will also accept meat bones in food waste collections. I even throw in natural wine corks, though they take quite a while to decompose.
Recycle soft plastics at the supermarket
Even though soft plastics – anything that can be scrunched, like crisp packets, wrappers, film and cereal bags – might seem harmless, they can quickly fill up your bin. I've found them almost impossible to cut out entirely, so instead I collect them in a bag and drop them off for recycling at the supermarket during my weekly shop.
While these plastics aren't usually collected at the kerbside, most large supermarkets (and some smaller ones) have big collection bins near their entrances and exits. In theory, they're turned into bags for life or plastic pellets; but according to one investigation by Everyday Plastic, some end up being incinerated either here or abroad.
Buying unpackaged fruit and vegetables
Whenever I'm in the supermarket, I choose loose fruit and vegetables in the hope it'll encourage them to stock more packaging-free options. I carry reusable mesh bags to put them in, and some places like Morrisons offer compostable brown paper bags too. Greengrocers and zero-waste shops are great for loose produce as well – and the latter often sell nuts, cereals and pasta you can pour straight into containers brought from home, avoiding packaging altogether.
Refilling toiletries bottles again and again
Contrary to popular belief, it's not only zero-waste shops that offer toiletry refills – many supermarkets and larger retailers do too. The service isn't available everywhere, but you can check for nearby stations online or via sites like Refill.org.uk. About five years ago, I bought a reusable deodorant casing, and thanks to supermarket refills, I haven't needed single-use antiperspirant packaging since.
Even smaller towns now have zero-waste shops, making refills easier to find than ever. There are also local doorstep delivery services – just search your postcode and 'refill delivery service' – where you pay a deposit for bottles that are collected, refilled and returned, much like a traditional milk round. I also use biodegradable sponges and brushes, which end up on my compost heap. While bamboo toothbrushes are an option, it's worth noting that their bristles are usually plastic, so they don't fully biodegrade.
Paid-for zero-waste bags and boxes
Some plastics are notoriously hard to reuse or recycle – things like food pouches, contact lens packaging, toothbrush heads and old pens. For these, I buy zero-waste collection bags from Terracycle. The fee covers postage, and I drop the filled bags off at a locker in my local supermarket. It's a simple process that gives me peace of mind, knowing it helps reduce harmful microplastics – which we ingest between 78,000 and 211,000 of each year. These plastics are then turned into pellets used to make play park equipment.
Washable nappies for my son
Every minute, around 300,000 nappies worldwide end up in landfill or incineration, where they can take up to 500 years to break down. I once visited a beach in Bali covered in discarded disposable nappies – a stark reminder of the problem. While some might hesitate at the idea of reusable nappies, I found them surprisingly straightforward with my now-three-year-old. They always came out of the washing machine spotless, and I used an electronic drying rack that kept electricity costs low. I simply flushed away solids and never had to rush to the supermarket, as I always had a clean batch ready. A huge bonus was that he never got nappy rash during the two years he wore them.
Repairing small things
Finding someone to repair a specific item can sometimes feel like a hassle, but it's a wonderful way to support local small businesses – and there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of bringing something back to life you thought was beyond use. I've managed to track down places to fix a broken vacuum cleaner, shoes and a sewing machine after some careful searching and local recommendations.
Servicing items that attract dust and dirt, like vacuums or sewing machines, is also wise, as it extends their lifespan and can prevent costly repairs later on. I've even found a scissor-sharpening service where I send my blades to be restored instead of throwing them away once they become blunt. Jewellery and watches are other small items that can often be repaired locally or sent off to services like the Jewellery Doctor – just be sure to choose the right insurance level when posting valuable pieces.
I take old textiles and shoes to a local charity
When I moved into my house, I found some old sheets that weren't in good enough condition to donate. After a quick post on social media, I discovered the Fire Fighters Charity accepts them. They have bins outside many fire stations where you can drop off bags of used clothing and shoes. These items are then resold or repurposed into industrial wipes, rags, or car upholstery. The Salvation Army runs a similar scheme, with around 8,000 clothing banks across the UK – often in supermarket car parks or retail parks. Collections like these raise funds for charity, making it a double win for doing good in the world.
I give old DIY materials to neighbours
Recently, when I moved some walls on my top floor, I saved the wood from the wall frames. One of my neighbours collected it to share among his family for their log burners. He also took my old shed and transformed it into fencing for the community gardens. Having a local network like this helps cut waste – sharing tools and materials means we've avoided buying things like chainsaws or wheelbarrows that we'd only use once or twice. Other DIY materials people often welcome include stone, brick, tiles, paint, mirrors and old sinks. These are usually advertised on local Facebook groups, Nextdoor or Freecycle.
Giving things away on Facebook 'Waste Saver' groups
Even in rural areas like mine, there are plenty of Facebook groups where you can give away unwanted items or find things others no longer need. These groups often go by names like 'Waste Savers,' 'Freebies' or 'Giveaway' when you search for them. It's a brilliant way to keep stuff out of landfill – I've given away everything from wardrobes to maternity clothes. Before my son was born, I saved hundreds of pounds by picking up his toys, high chair, bouncers and even a breast pump from my local 'Freebie' group. It's not only great for your wallet but also a wonderful way to meet neighbours and avoid buying things you'll only use for a short while.
Learning how to sew
One of the best investments I've made for a lower-waste lifestyle is buying a sewing machine and learning to use it. I've made dresses from fabric offcuts and regularly mend my son's clothes when he comes home from preschool with holes in his trousers. It's a skill that's saved me a fortune – and my furniture too, as I reupholstered my secondhand sofa and loveseat myself instead of sending them to landfill. I learnt to sew by attending classes and joining a local craft group, which was a fun way to meet interesting people I wouldn't have crossed paths with otherwise. Since then, sewing has become a relaxing pastime that helps me find a moment of mindfulness in the evenings.
Selling broken technology
In our throwaway culture, one of the best things we can do for the planet is resist the urge to toss something the moment it stops working. I've made over £400 selling broken tech on eBay, so it's definitely worth a try – many buyers there make a living by fixing and reselling items. It's not just obvious things like laptops and phones; items like baby monitors and camera lenses can also be refurbished. I've sold broken camera lenses and a monitor with a damaged charging port within minutes, proving there's real value in things we often assume nobody would want, even if they're not working.