Back in March 2017, Leithers told us loud and clear – they wanted to create a clean and vibrant Leith where nothing is wasted. Changeworks, local partners and our team of volunteers worked with residents, community groups, schools and businesses in Leith to make it happen.
The Zero Waste Leith project built on activities already happening in the area to support the community as they reduced litter, flytipping and food waste, and started doing more recycling. Zero Waste Leith was a two-and-a-half year project funded by Zero Waste Scotland, Changeworks and the European Regional Development Fund until July 2020.
Find out more about all of the amazing campaigns and success achieved through the project:
- A dramatic drop in flytipped furniture on Leith’s streets and successful furniture street swap
- Less food waste and more recycling with Leith’s Good with Food
- Recycling made easier for Leith residents
- Cleaner streets with less cigarette litter
- A network of Leith businesses going zero waste – local businesses are invited to join today!
- A reuse map of where to give, get or fix household items in Leith
- A community inspired by our Reuse Showhome events, who are now motivated to fix and reuse household items
- An upskilled community who see ‘fixable’ rather than ‘broken’ items and know they can fix it at our repair evenings
- A ‘whole school’ approach, with pupils, parents and staff working together to reduce waste
- Generations of Leithers learning together about how to create a community free from waste.
While the Zero Waste Leith project came to an end in July 2020, some aspects of the campaign remain active. You can find out where to reuse, repair or recycle your stuff using our Edinburgh Reuse Map, network with other Leith businesses looking to improve their environmental impact with our Business Charter, and access expert advice on doing what we can locally to support our fragile environment at Zero Waste Leith Facebook page.
