Reduce and reuse

Choose to reduce and reuse

Waste reduction in Blacktown City begins with the decisions we make every day, from how we shop, to how we repair, donate and share. While recycling is important, the waste hierarchy shows that the best way to manage waste is to avoid it in the first place, followed by reduction and reuse.

At Blacktown City Council, we support rethinking waste with a reuse economy approach where materials are kept at their highest value for as long as possible.

By choosing to reduce and reuse, you help:

• extend the life of our items
• divert valuable resources out of landfill
• reduce our carbon emissions
• support local repairers, charities and reuse networks
• inspire others and lead by example
• reduce your expenses by purchasing second-hand and repairing your items.

Explore our sections on our reuse guide, swap your style parties, reusables in action and food waste avoidance to learn how we support reuse and what actions you can take.

Reuse guide

Did you know that reuse and resale saves the NSW community $432 million every year? There are many economic and environmental benefits to reusing and repairing items, however many people are unaware of their local reuse opportunities.

That’s why we’ve created the reuse guide, our latest feature on the B informed app!

Our reuse guide is your go-to resource for finding local repair, reuse, swapping, sharing and donation opportunities in an effort to reduce items going to landfill while saving you money on new replacements. Whether it’s mending a beloved piece of clothing, renting a travel cot for your next family trip, or donating pre-loved books, every action counts towards a sustainable future for our community.

You can use our directory to find over 75 reuse options across 15 categories, including clothing, shoes, phones, toys, books, instruments, furniture and more.

To explore our reuse guide, download our B informed app here.

Swap your style

Did you know, there are currently enough clothes on Earth to cater for the next 6 generations? Production and consumption are on the rise, leading to devastating environmental impacts at all stages of product life cycles. Before you purchase new, consider attending one of our Swap your style parties and find other practical reuse tips below.

Blacktown City Swap your style parties

We host two annual Swap your style parties across our City to help our residents find new treasures, reduce their waste and connect through the reuse economy.

These events provide an opportunity for our community to rehome quality second-hand items to other residents as well as to partner charities, and include a presentation filled with sustainable fashion or reuse tips to try at home.

Our events have previously included acceptance of preloved clothing, accessories, books and/or toys. If you would like to suggest items to include in our next swap, please email sustainable.resources@blacktown.nsw.gov.au

Blacktown City's next Swap your style party will be held on:

Saturday 29 November 2025

Registrations will open 1 month prior at our events page

How does our Swap your style party work?

1. Bring your quality pre-loved items. There will be a limit to the number you can check-in for the swap component, however there will be a charity onsite to collection additional items.
2. Check-in your items to be swapped. For each item accepted, you will receive a token to use once the swap zone opens.
3. Donate additional items to our partner charity. You may also like to attend the event to donate items only and not participate in the swap.
4. Restyle, re-wear and repair your ‘new to you’ items. Our swap parties include a presentation with some tips to help you get started.

What can I bring to our Swap your style party?

Each Swap your style party accepts different items and there is a quality screening process accepted for swapping and donation drop offs. Items must meet the below guidelines.

Sustainable fashion and reuse tips

Waiting for our next swap your style party? Try these easy ways to reuse more at home.

• Buy less, choose well: Invest in quality over quantity and always consider what you currently have first. For clothing, invest in timeless pieces over fast fashion, and consider natural fibres such as wool, cotton and linen that are durable and biodegradable.

• Shop second-hand: Check local op shops, local pre-loved markets or online second-hand platforms before buying new. You can learn how to safely navigate online platforms at our next selling online workshop.

     NSW-Police-Buy-Swap-Sell.pdf(PDF, 259KB)

• Donate: Pass on quality items you no longer need to charities, community groups and local reuse programs. You can find local donation options on our B informed app.

• Care and repair: Care for your items to extend their lifespan by following care labels, repair instructions and taking them to get fixed or altered to fit. You could learn a new skill by attending one of our repair workshops, checking online repair guides or visiting a local repair café, such as the Blacktown Women’s Shed.

• Share and borrow: Use Blacktown City Libraries for books and toy borrowing, organise your own swap meets, share items with family and friends, and consider hiring equipment, outfits and decorations for one-off needs instead of buying new.

• Support sustainable brands: Look for local brands that prioritise sustainability in their production processes, such as using organic materials, employing fair labour practices, and implementing recycling programs.

Reusables in action

Heading out? Remember your reusables!

Did you know that Australians throw away around 1.9 million tonnes of packaging each year?

One of the simplest ways to reduce your daily waste is to bring your own reusables when you are heading out to the shops or for takeaway. By swapping out single-use plastics for reusables, you can make a big difference.

Here are some easy swaps:

• take a reusable bag when you shop
• bring your own cup for coffee or drinks
• use a reusable water bottle
• carry your own food container for takeaway or leftovers
• say no to plastic cutlery and bring your own set.

Keep in mind that Australia’s food safety laws do not prevent businesses from accepting your clean reusable cups and containers. If you are unsure if your local store will accept them just ask politely.

Look for cafes and food businesses on the Responsible Cafes and BYO Containers directories to support venues that welcome reusables.

Our rebates on reusable products

Make the switch to reusable products and you could save with our supporting sustainable solutions rebate program. This program offers eligible rebates for:

• organics recycling
• cloth nappies
• reusable sanitary products
• reusable continence management products
• carbonated beverage makers
• reusable coffee capsules
• rechargeable household batteries and chargers

For more information and to apply, visit our supporting sustainable solutions page.

Reuse in the workplace

At Blacktown City Council, we lead by example through our internal office borrowing library. Our Council staff share office and event supplies across teams to reduce unnecessary purchasing and demonstrate our commitment to a reuse economy.

You may spot our reusable cups, plates, cutlery, signage, table cloths and decorations made from our recycled banners at our next sustainable workshop or event!

We encourage other local offices, schools and community groups to set up borrowing hubs filled with occasionally used items to reduce their waste, costs and encourage reuse in your network. 

Food waste avoidance

Did you know that the average NSW household throws away $40 worth of edible food every week?

We support our community to recycle food waste with organics recycling rebates, monthly composting and worm farming workshops, and our food and garden waste bins.

The best way to manage our food waste is to avoid creating it in the first place. Preventing food waste saves money, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and reduces food insecurity in our City.

Here are some simple ways to reduce your food waste:

• Use what you have: Follow a first in, first out method and get creative using your older ingredients and leftovers first. Try designating a shelf in your fridge for “eat me first” items. To learn more and get creative with pickling, watch our introductory videos by visiting our virtual home.

  BCC-pickling-recipe-cards.pdf(PDF, 2MB)

• Plan meals and shop smart: Before heading to the shops, make a weekly menu and shopping list using as much as possible from what you already have. Take a photo of your fridge and pantry before shopping to avoid doubling up.

  LFHW-meal-planning.pdf(PDF, 374KB)

• Understand food labels: ‘Use by’ means the must food must be eaten by that date due to safety reasons, past this date it must be disposed of. In comparison, ‘best before’ means the food is at its best before the date but may still be fine to eat after if it has been stored correctly and shows no signs of spoilage.

   

• Store food correctly: Learn where and how to store food for maximum lifetime and freshness, such as storing onion, potatoes in a dark pantry and fruit and vegetables in your fridge crisper drawers. For more information, visit our virtual home.

  BCC-fridge-storage-information.pdf(PDF, 8MB)                                                                       BCC-fruit-and-vegetable-storage-information.pdf(PDF, 4MB)

• Grow your own food: Studies have shown that people who grow their own fruit and vegetables waste less food. You can learn the basics to help start your garden at our next growing food at home workshop.