The Listing Magazine

Your Online Guide to Royston and Beyond

Get in touch today! Magazine deadlines are around the 13th of each month

01763 248447 hello@thelistingmagazine.co.uk

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Coronavirus
    • Activities for Adults: How to Fill Your Time at Home
    • Activities with Children During Lockdown
    • Business Support During Coronavirus
    • Coronavirus Self Isolation Deliveries List
    • Community Support Groups During Coronavirus
    • Mental Health and Wellbeing During Coronavirus
    • Open for Business
    • A Word from The Listing
  • Magazine Archive
    • Business Profiles & News
    • Community News
    • Herts YOC 2020
    • Hidden Royston
    • Julian’s Business Tips
    • Looking After You
    • Museum Musings
    • My Local Life
    • News from Royston Market
    • Out and About
    • Professional Tips
    • Spotlight On…
    • Tallulah’s Kitchen
    • The Listing News
      • Reviews
  • Business Directory
    • Business Networking
  • Clubs & Societies Directory
  • What’s On
  • Advertise with us
    • About the Magazines
    • Meet the Team
    • Artwork & Advert Design
    • Booking Deadlines
    • Distribution
    • Testimonials
    • Contact us
  • Marketing Services

Hidden Royston: Royston reducing waste – sharing, repairing, re-using

August 21, 2019 by thelistingCath

Royston reducing waste – sharing, repairing, re-using

There really is no planet B, so now in the time to join millions of others locally, nationally and internationally tackling what many now describe as our climate emergency. This is a particularly busy month with many opportunities to get on board to cut waste.

2nd – 6th September is Zero Waste Week and there’s lots to help you reduce waste, save money and preserve resources – guides, lesson plans, workshops and online courses – not just for the Week, but forever!

Also encouraging us to rethink our consumption are Oxfam with their Secondhand September campaign throughout the month, inviting you to pledge not to buy any new clothes for 30 days.  The waste that follows the ‘fast fashion’ trend is mind-boggling in scale. Every week in the UK 11 million items of clothing go to landfill; that’s an annual total equal to the weight of New York’s Empire State Building.

Think global, act local

At the end of September, there’s a local focus on celebrating and protecting our precious earth with the Royston Arts Festival from Thursday 19th to Sunday 29th. It promises to be a rich mix of music, art, and performance, but this year the theme of ‘Our Planet’. Be inspired at the Community Arts Event and look out for the ‘Royston Reducing Waste’ stall, and the plastic-free, planet-kind products offered by Anahata – a new venture launched by a Royston resident.

For many, a barrier to taking that first step to conserve resources and reduce waste is a sense of helplessness – not knowing where to start and, perhaps, feeling the problems are too immense for individuals to make a real difference. But there are ‘quick wins’ to be made (see link at the bottom of this piece) and you are not alone; a number of local initiatives are already demonstrating practical, creative (and fun!) ways to consume less and keep items out of landfill.

Say yes to less – share

For nearly 15 years, and without spending a penny, the Royston Recycle online platform has been promoting and enabling the free exchange (freecycling) of unwanted items – from children’s toys and equipment, to household items, garden tools and musical instruments.  Since December 2004, over 7400 members in and around Royston have posted 97,000 ‘offers’ and ‘wants’ keeping an estimated 45,000 items in use for longer.

The average household owns £4,000 worth of clothing, 30% of which has not been worn in the past year. Estimates put the value of this unused clothing at around £30 billion. This autumn, the organisers of Royston Recycle plan to launch Royston Swish – clothing exchange events to refresh wardrobes without costing the earth.

Don’t despair – repair! 

Another offspring on the Royston freecycling initiative is Royston Repair Cafe – a series of free community repair events held every three months to keep more items in use for longer. Owners of broken items have discovered ‘the joy of fix’ and, since February 2014, volunteer repairers have mended over 50% of the 640 items brought in for free assessment. Everything from clothes and books to bikes and electrical equipment have been given a new lease of life to the delight of their owners – saving their money and the planet.

Creative ways to re-use materials

When it comes to crafting someone else’s waste materials into one-off additions to homes and gardens, the new kids on the block (although the two guys behind it could hardly be described as ‘new kids’!) are Green & Grey. Mainly using pallet wood (but not averse to working with driftwood, wellington boots and bike parts) the pair are using their interest in ‘making stuff’ from reclaimed materials to promote the value of original hand-made items in our increasingly mass-produced consumer society.

From sharing, repairing and reusing to recycling, and Terracycle – an international recycling company – have teamed up with residents in and around Royston to support their efforts to recycle ‘difficult materials’ – including soft plastics, toothbrushes and crisp packets. Look out for a growing number of collections points around town and help raise money for charities as you make the extra effort to protect our planet for generations to come

Contacts and further information
Royston Recycle groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/roystonrecycle/info
Royston Repair Café www.facebook.com/RoystonRepairCafe
Royston Swish, e-mail leeinroyston@aol.com
Green & Grey enterpriseessentials.wordpress.com/about  / www.facebook.com/GreenandGreyRecreations
Anahata www.facebook.com/Anahata.Planet
Terracycle  www.royston-crow.co.uk/news/new-recycling-options-for-royston-residents-1-6194192
Secondhand September www.oxfamapps.org.uk/secondhandseptember
Zero Waste Week www.zerowasteweek.co.uk
Royston Arts Festival www.creativeroyston.org
Circular Cambridge circularcambridge.org
Swishing www.getswishing.com
Sustainable living www.asustainablelife.co.uk (Including quick wins to sustainability www.asustainablelife.co.uk/12-quick-sustainable-wins)
Chris Lee is co-founder of, and active with, Royston Freecycle, Royston Repair Café, and Green & Grey
Chris Lee leeinroyston@aol.com

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Community News, Hidden Royston, Loving Local Living

Open for Business

5 Reasons to Shop Local

5 Reasons to Shop Local

5 Reasons to Shop Local One unexpected and welcome outcome from the first Coronavirus lockdown is the way in which many small businesses adapted and kept trading and now with the second lockdown … [Read More...]

Open for Business: Flamingo Paperie

Open for Business: Flamingo Paperie

Flamingo Paperie have a number of new craft kits and craft paper, ideal for children whilst you are at home during lockdown. View the different projects available here in their online … [Read More...]

Open for Business: Bumpkins Nursery

Open for Business: Bumpkins Nursery

Open for Business: Bumpkins Nursery Bumpkins is open for business and delighted to be supporting the children of key workers throughout this time. We are missing seeing the happy smiling … [Read More...]

Open for Business: Barbara’s Flowers

Open for Business: Barbara’s Flowers

Open for Business: Barbara's Flowers Barbara’s Flowers are still delivering. If you would like to send a bouquet to someone special, simply call Barbara on 01763 246200 or 07730 435643. … [Read More...]

Open for Business: Kelly’s Kitchen

Open for Business: Kelly’s Kitchen

Open for Business: Kelly’s Kitchen Kelly from Kelly’s Kitchen in Royston has been running weekly live bake alongs on her Facebook page with her two children. So far they have made Banana Bread, The … [Read More...]

More Open for Business

Hidden Royston

Hidden Royston: Johnson Matthey After Dark

Hidden Royston: Johnson Matthey After Dark

Ever since I moved from London to Royston 25 years ago, I’ve wondered what goes on at Johnson Matthey (JM). As a last contribution to the year-long ‘Hidden Royston’ series in The Listing I decided to find out. Security is tight - before making the visit with photographer David Waters, we were sent a list of do’s and don’ts. Don’t bring phones, … [Read More...]

Hidden Royston Christmas Quiz! Win 4 Tickets To Royston Picture Palace

Hidden Royston Christmas Quiz! Win 4 Tickets To Royston Picture Palace

Have you been following the ‘Hidden Royston’ series in The Listing and online each month throughout 2019? Answer some easy questions from the series and you could win one of a host of prizes! Have you been following the ‘Hidden Royston’ series in the Listing magazine and website throughout 2019? Over the course of the year, our contributor Chris … [Read More...]

Hidden Royston: Behind Closed Doors at Royston Police Station

Hidden Royston: Behind Closed Doors at Royston Police Station

Behind closed doors at Royston Police Station Policing across Britain is changing in response to new technology, the changing nature of criminal activity and reduced resources, and Royston is no exception. Until 1896, the town actually had two police stations – one was part of the Cambridgeshire force, the other came under Hertfordshire – … [Read More...]

Hidden Royston: Keeping Royston Safe?

Hidden Royston: Keeping Royston Safe?

A straw poll of residents in Royston High Street one grey Monday morning found a broad acceptance of CCTV cameras in public places. “If you’ve nothing to hide, why would you worry?” was a typical response, and others were reassured and felt safer. I was standing under one of the CCTV cameras in 11 locations around the town centre and it was … [Read More...]

Hidden Royston: Royston reducing waste – sharing, repairing, re-using

Hidden Royston: Royston reducing waste – sharing, repairing, re-using

Royston reducing waste – sharing, repairing, re-using There really is no planet B, so now in the time to join millions of others locally, nationally and internationally tackling what many now describe as our climate emergency. This is a particularly busy month with many opportunities to get on board to cut waste. 2nd - 6th September is Zero … [Read More...]

More from Hidden Royston

The Listing Royston January 2021

The Listing SG8 Villages January 2021

Find us on Facebook

thelisting

Royston’s monthly magazine issued online & delivered to 16500 households in Royston& surrounding SG8 villages
https://linkin.bio/thelisting

The Listing
Instagram post 17868421454231639 Check out our January, SG8 Villages back-cover: Harriet Kelsall Bespoke Jewellery, capturing the unique facets of your story with a piece of one-off bespoke jewellery.⁠⁠To find out more about their services visit: www.hkjewellery.co.uk⁠⁠As advertised in January, www.thelistingmagazine.co.uk ⁠⁠Please mention #TheListing when calling. ⁠#HarrietKelsall #BespokeJewellery #OnlineDesign  #EngagementRings #WeddingRings #EternityRings  #DressJewellery #ReDesign #ShopLocal @harrietkelsall
Instagram post 18136828855080388 Avoid a chimney fire, call your local Chimney Sweep, advice given and problems solved...⁠⁠Ed at Clean Sweep based in Haslingfield covers Cambridge, Royston and surrounding villages. Offering a qualified, professional, and reliable chimney sweeping service, also nest removal, CCTV inspections, bird guards fitted and co alarms, chemical treatment and advice given.⁠⁠To find out more call Ed on 07919 888 890⁠⁠Please mention #TheListing when calling⁠⁠To keep in touch like and follow Clean Sweep on Facebook. ⁠#ChimneySweep #ChimpneySweepRoyston #CleanSweep #SupportLocal #OpenFire #WoodBurner
Load More... Follow on Instagram

What's On Upcoming Events

Jan
20
Wed
8.00am Royston Outdoor Market
Royston Outdoor Market
Jan 20 @ 8.00am – 2.00pm
Royston Outdoor Market
Every Saturday, 8am – 2pm, at Royston Market Square.
Jan
21
Thu
8.00am Royston Business Networking @ Online
Royston Business Networking @ Online
Jan 21 @ 8.00am – 9.00am
Royston Business Networking @ Online
Every Thursday 8-9am, online Connect with local businesses! Each session includes a one/two minute introduction, break-out rooms to have a one-to-one catch up then rejoin the main group for leads, tips and referrals! To find out more about attending email, Tony at tony.field@amixan.co.uk To find out more about the group and our current members visit, www.roystonbusinessnetwork.co.uk or email, info@roystonbusinessnetwork.co.uk
Jan
23
Sat
8.00am Herts Country Market
Herts Country Market
Jan 23 @ 8.00am
Herts Country Market
Every Saturday, 8am at Royston Corn Exchange.  
8.00am Royston Outdoor Market
Royston Outdoor Market
Jan 23 @ 8.00am – 2.00pm
Royston Outdoor Market
Every Saturday, 8am – 2pm, at Royston Market Square.
Jan
24
Sun
10.30am Royston Methodist Church Sunday ... @ Royston Methodist Church
Royston Methodist Church Sunday ... @ Royston Methodist Church
Jan 24 @ 10.30am – 12.00pm
Royston Methodist Church Sunday Service (Via Zoom) @ Royston Methodist Church
Join us for our Sunday service via zoom, either on your PC, laptop, iPad, tablet, mobile phone or home phone. Information about joining the meeting and what to expect is available on the church website, at  www.royston-methodist.org.uk/ under the “Notices” section. Rev Charity and the Church Stewards are doing all they can to continue to serve us all as a church whilst the crisis continues and thereafter.
Jan
27
Wed
8.00am Royston Outdoor Market
Royston Outdoor Market
Jan 27 @ 8.00am – 2.00pm
Royston Outdoor Market
Every Saturday, 8am – 2pm, at Royston Market Square.
Jan
28
Thu
8.00am Royston Business Networking @ Online
Royston Business Networking @ Online
Jan 28 @ 8.00am – 9.00am
Royston Business Networking @ Online
Every Thursday 8-9am, online Connect with local businesses! Each session includes a one/two minute introduction, break-out rooms to have a one-to-one catch up then rejoin the main group for leads, tips and referrals! To find out more about attending email, Tony at tony.field@amixan.co.uk To find out more about the group and our current members visit, www.roystonbusinessnetwork.co.uk or email, info@roystonbusinessnetwork.co.uk
9.00am Barrington C of E Primary School...
Barrington C of E Primary School...
Jan 28 @ 9.00am – 10.00am
Thursday 28th January 2021 and Thursday 17th June 2021 For both of these collections, donations of clothing can be left in bin bags at the front of the school, before 9 am. Bag2School accept the following ‘good quality’ items for RE-USE*: Men’s, Ladies’ and Children’s clothing Paired shoes (tied together or elastic band around) Handbags Hats Bags Scarves and ties Jewellery Lingerie Socks Belts Soft toys Household linen Household curtains Household towels Household bedding (bed sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers) * We reserve the right to refuse any unsuitable items We DO NOT accept: Duvets and blankets Pillows and cushions Carpets, rugs and mats (including bath, shower and toilet mats) Soiled, painted, ripped or wet clothing School uniforms with and without logo Corporate clothing and workwear Textile off cuts, yarns or threaded material
Jan
30
Sat
8.00am Herts Country Market
Herts Country Market
Jan 30 @ 8.00am
Herts Country Market
Every Saturday, 8am at Royston Corn Exchange.  
8.00am Royston Outdoor Market
Royston Outdoor Market
Jan 30 @ 8.00am – 2.00pm
Royston Outdoor Market
Every Saturday, 8am – 2pm, at Royston Market Square.
Jan
31
Sun
10.30am Royston Methodist Church Sunday ... @ Royston Methodist Church
Royston Methodist Church Sunday ... @ Royston Methodist Church
Jan 31 @ 10.30am – 12.00pm
Royston Methodist Church Sunday Service (Via Zoom) @ Royston Methodist Church
Join us for our Sunday service via zoom, either on your PC, laptop, iPad, tablet, mobile phone or home phone. Information about joining the meeting and what to expect is available on the church website, at  www.royston-methodist.org.uk/ under the “Notices” section. Rev Charity and the Church Stewards are doing all they can to continue to serve us all as a church whilst the crisis continues and thereafter.
Feb
3
Wed
8.00am Royston Outdoor Market
Royston Outdoor Market
Feb 3 @ 8.00am – 2.00pm
Royston Outdoor Market
Every Saturday, 8am – 2pm, at Royston Market Square.
Feb
4
Thu
8.00am Royston Business Networking @ Online
Royston Business Networking @ Online
Feb 4 @ 8.00am – 9.00am
Royston Business Networking @ Online
Every Thursday 8-9am, online Connect with local businesses! Each session includes a one/two minute introduction, break-out rooms to have a one-to-one catch up then rejoin the main group for leads, tips and referrals! To find out more about attending email, Tony at tony.field@amixan.co.uk To find out more about the group and our current members visit, www.roystonbusinessnetwork.co.uk or email, info@roystonbusinessnetwork.co.uk
8.00pm Royston & District Local History... @ Online
Royston & District Local History... @ Online
Feb 4 @ 8.00pm – 9.00pm
Royston & District Local History Society @ Online
Our next meeting will be on February 4th at 8pm on Zoom, when Anthony Poulton-Smith will talk about Place Names.  If you would like to join us, please contact David Allard by email, as follows:  david.slade.allard@gmail.com
View Calendar
The Listing, 2 Kiln House Yard, Baldock Street, Royston, Herts SG8 5AY
Call us on 01763 248447 or click here to send us an email
Copyright © 2021 , The Listing
  • Contact us
  • Advertise with us
  • Privacy Notice
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
This site uses cookies: Find out more.