Wandsworth people have been challenged to see if they can keep their rubbish bins empty for a week.

The Zero Waste Challenge can be taken any week during January, and winners will get £100 donated to a good cause of their choice.

Every year each of us throws away several times our own weight in rubbish and each month the average family dumps £50 worth of good food.

The challenge is to think twice before putting something in the bin. Many items can be recycled, repaired, reused or given away. Planning meals more carefully and using or freezing leftovers can cut food waste. Food that cannot be used can be composted or put through a food waste disposal unit.

Find out what can be recycled.

Get tips on reducing waste, including special offers on food waste disposers and composters, and contacts for reuse charities and websites.

The challenge is being run by the Western Riverside Waste Authority which processes waste and recycling from four boroughs. The challenge is open to anyone living in Wandsworth, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea or Lambeth.

Householders, schools, businesses and community groups are all invited to take part. Challenge winners will be picked by a panel of judges.

The council's environment spokesman Cllr Jonathan Cook said: "Wandsworth residents have made great strides in cutting the amount of rubbish they produce over the past few years, but there's still more that can be done. Every extra kilo of rubbish kept out of bins reduces our disposal costs - helping to keep council tax low - and helps the environment.

"We would urge people to enter the Zero Waste Challenge. It only takes a week and is a fun way to find out how much stuff people think is junk can actually be reused or recycled. People that do really well could even get a donation to a good cause of their choice."

January 10, 2013