Waste Prevention

We are encouraging everyone in Denmead to think about waste, and consider how many things they throw away. Our ultimate aim is to halve the amount of waste that goes into our bins — and see less litter in the parks and on our streets.

Modern society generates waste… we buy, we use (often for a short period), we put it in the bin.

We often see a lot of litter around Denmead. Our bins for waste and recycling are full to the brim and the recycling centre is constantly full. Waste, even recycled products, pollutes our rivers and seas, increases the use of energy and scarce raw materials, and increases water use across the globe. Waste is a fundamental problem for our society and our over-exploitation of the planet on which we live.

Waste prevention means avoiding waste; reducing the amount that goes into your bins — all bins. 

Recycling is not prevention — sorting your waste is simply giving it to a different team to deal with. It does not prevent waste!

Waste prevention in Denmead

Hampshire County Council’s Waste Prevention Team are supporting Greening Denmead with the aim of reducing our overflowing bins, those trips to the Waterlooville recycling centre, and reducing the amount of rubbish generally. Do you want to see less litter?

How you can help 

Borrow instead of buying

• Reasonably priced tool and garden hire

Fix, don't ditch

• Bring items to the Denmead and Hambledon monthly Repair Cafe to have them fixed, tools sharpened, clothes mended etc.

Rehome instead of throwing away

• List your items on Free in Denmead on Facebook 

• Denmead Scouts run clothes swap events and a recycling centre too!

• Book swaps at our cabinet in South Downs Funeral Service garden, the Community Centre, and Heath Room in All Saints Church.

• Read about more local options and tips in our Recycling and Zero Waste Guide

Visit our Waste Prevention Trail for more ideas

• Our Waste Prevention Trail is currently available to follow on the Denmead Junior School fence, on the walkway from Bere Rd to Old River.

Invite us to give a talk to your group

Our Waste Prevention Champion has received training and resources from Hampshire County Council. If you would like her to give a talk, or run a stall (with freebies) at your event please contact us. 

What we've done already

• We've run stalls at various events (In 2024 this included our April launch event, the village Street Party, PTA Fayre, Pumpkin Show) where we have showcased fun games and given away resources and leaflets for helping reduce waste

• We set up the Waste Prevention Trail around the playing fields for our launch, and it is currently up at the Junior School

• We set up a Book Swap cabinet

• At our May Fun Day 2025 we ran a prize draw to win a refurbished computer, for anyone who upcycled an item.

• Our Waste Prevention Champion has given 3 talks, including a food waste talk at our AGM.

Future project ideas

Greening Denmead is hoping to set up new projects, such as: 

• Composting food waste from Denmead's restaurants

• Home composting  - tips or workshops

• A Toy Library to hold a stock of games and toys, which can be borrowed and returned. This keeps children entertained with ‘new’ toys and saves parents money, and space!

• Swap Events to help people to reuse their unwanted clothes and other items and find ‘new’ things for themselves. The Scouts already run a popular ‘Swishing’ event for clothes. What other items do you think we could swap as a community?

If you want to help or have any other ideas for projects to prevent waste, please get in touch.