(First published in the Southfields grid residents Association newsletter in July 2025). Recycle More Southfields had been established in 2021 to help the local residents recycle hard-to-recycle waste such as plastic toothbrushes and makeup packaging.
We focus on the waste not collected by the council. To start with, a lot of these items were recycled through the free recycling programmes ran by a commercial company TerraCycle UK. Back then, many major manufacturers paid for a certain type of waste to be collected and recycled, so we were able to offer a wide range of recycling options.
Together we saved over 1,300kg of plastic waste from being sent for incineration.
However, each year TerraCycle and the companies that sponsor plastic collections are closing more and more free programmes. Some are closing for a good reason: crisps packets, for example, can now be recycled along all the soft plastics in all major supermarkets. (Our local are Coop on Wimbledon park Rd and the large Sainsbury’s in Wandsworth).
Other free recycling options once closed are impossible to replace. This year TerraCycle stopped collecting razors with almost no alternative recycling option available. Ryman pens and writing materials recycling (another free TerraCycle programme) was also closed.
Following all these closures, we had to make changes to our own recycling schedule. We had to drop some items we collected, but we made a decision to pay for some of the more popular strands, such as stationery and dental. Recycle More Southfields has a limited amount of funding available for purchasing commercial recycling solutions, but we will do it, while we can. To help residents cut their plastic waste.
But having been recycling for years, we understand that recycling alone is not a solution for the amount of plastic waste we produce. A national and international action is required to cut the amount of plastic that ends up in our rivers and oceans, in our soil and, as it turns out, our bodies too. Microplastics have been found in all human tissues, though the scientists don’t yet fully understand how much of it is there and how harmful it is. But individual actions matter too – all big changes start from small actions.
Do we still collect hard-to-recycle waste for recycling?
Yes! We collect contact lenses, beauty and make up packaging, medicine blister packs, kitchen gloves, Ferrero Rocher boxes, stationery, toothbrushes and much more. We have a weekly collection schedule and two collection points on Trentham Street and Sutherland Grove. See the items we collect for details. (Download our detailed list of what we collect and ideas for plastic free alternatives).
Here are some ways to avoid plastic waste altogether
Kitchen:
Avoid microplastics by opting for plastic free washing up sponges such as those made from cellulose (wood pulp), loofah, sisal, or coconut coir. Our favourite brands are: Seep, Safix and Eco Living. They can be composted at home. These are mostly available online and in zero waste shops.
Or choose kitchen towels made from recycled paper: Naked Paper and Who Gives a Crap, some supermarkets have their own brand recycled kitchen towels too. They all come in plastic free packaging and by using recycled paper – virgin cellulose, made from trees is not wasted on something that is disposed of straight away.
Use plastic free kitchen cleaners: Ocean Saver, Home Things or Neat. All of them are dissolved or diluted in water, just use the old spray or washing up liquid bottles. You can also make many household cleaners yourself: we are inspired by Nancy Birtwhistle’s eco-friendly DIY solutions. Follow her on Instagram or buy her books – they are full of good nature and pocket-friendly ideas!
What to do with the old razors?
Cut your impact by choosing a plastic free shaving handle with a replaceable razor. Estrid and Bulldog are the leading “modern” razors, their handles are made from bamboo or metal. But Bulldog only accepts their own razor heads for recycling.
Gilette used to sponsor a razor recycling programme, but it has been closed. Their website says it was due to the “low levels of demand”.
But the best way to avoid razor waste is to use an old-fashioned safety razor, which will last you for decades and the only thing you need to change is the blade itself. There are many brands on the market: from the mainstream Wilkinson to more indie Shoreline Shaving and re:gn (both British brands).
Follow us on Instagram: @recyclemore_southfields and on Facebook: @RecycleMoreSouthfields. If you too are involved in reducing waste – upcycling furniture, using plastic free alternatives and refills or similar initiatives - please tag us in and we will share!
Join one of two WhatsApp groups (there’s a chatty one and a ‘lite’ one) or email us on:
