ReActon is a hub for the circular economy, providing a space for reuse and repair. ReActon is all about promoting the circular economy, where we make the most of what we already have. We run regular events that have different activities such as clothes, bike and electrical repair, giving out free paint that would otherwise go to waste, school uniform swaps, plus other circular economy activities.
ReActon Next dates
- Saturday 25 April: Reuse and repair day
- Saturday 16 May: Compost give away and reuse day
Location: Stirling Road, Acton, W3 8DJ. Google maps
Recycling is good, but we can do better
ReActon focuses on reducing our waste and recycling. As Keep Britain Tidy waste hierarchy reminds us, we need to start prioritising what we do with our stuff.
This reminds us we all need to prioritise what we do with our possessions in this order:
- Have a buy less Mindset through mindful consumption and considering when we buy things do we really need it.
- Swap the way you shop: When buying things, can we get it second-hand? Or could we borrow it from friends, family or organisations like the Library of Things.
- Use it again and again: Rather than replacing items like clothes or electrical items, look into if it can be repaired or mended.
- Rehome it: If you have no use for your things, someone else might want it. Ask family and friends, advertise in local social media groups, Olio or Freegle or donate them to your local charity shops.
- Put in the recycling: This should be the second from last option, after you have considered the options above. When buying things, consider buying things with less packaging, so reducing what we need to recycle.
- Bin it: This is the final and last option to choose. If we choose one of the previous options, this will reduce overall the amount that gets incinerated and put into landfill.
For more information about Recycling in Ealing and our doorstep waste.
What is the circular economy
The circular economy is the alternative to this linear and wasteful approach. It challenges what we buy, use and then dispose of. The circular economy focuses on areas such as:
- how products can be designed to be used again.
- using the materials that are already in circulation and stop digging new materials out of the ground.
- make repairing something easier and cheaper than buying a new replacement.
These are important questions we need to ask when choosing brands and organisations we buy “stuff” from.
What happens to our waste?
Ealing Council collects our rubbish, usually in a black sack or a wheeled bin. They then deliver what they have collected to one of the two rail transfer stations; one is located in South Ruislip, the other is in Brentford. Find out more from What happens to Ealing’s Rubbish? and the ActForEaling trip to Crayford Reprocessing Facility.
For further information about what happens to rubbish, West London Waste Authority who deals with all the borough of Ealing household collections.
Less is more
Collectively, we have to need to move away from buying more stuff. Together, food, textiles, and manufactured products account for nearly 50% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
The old approach of ‘take-make-dispose’ is the major cause of inequality, greenhouse gases, and mountains of waste. It’s destroying our planet, polluting our water, and shattering biodiversity. Take a look to understand how we got here at the Story of Stuff videos.
ReActon focuses on giving Ealing residents easy steps to reduce our waste.
For more climate positive actions you can take see ActForEaling’s 10 Steps for a Greener Ealing.