THE gauntlet is being thrown down Hillingdon people, who are being urged to take part in the council’s month-long Zero Waste Challenge, to reduce their general waste in four weeks.

Residents can sign up for the challenge, which will run from Monday (26) to October 23, to monitor the amount of waste their household produces and send the results to the council each week. 

In return, they will receive regular tips on ways to reduce it, along with advice on recycling everything from food to furniture.

The household that generates the least amount of general waste could win a zero-waste starter pack, worth £40, that includes bamboo cutlery, a stainless steel water bottle, reusable coffee cup and a wooden dish brush.

Hillingdon Council is also hosting a free Repair and Reuse Day this Saturday (24) at Botwell Green Sports and Leisure Centre in Hayes.

Residents can turn up any time between 10am and 2pm to learn recycling tips and tricks from the borough recycling team and groups including Hillingdon Friends of the Earth.

They will be offering a free repair service for small electrical items, while the textiles charity, TRAID, will demonstrate how to repair and alter clothes.

Cllr Eddie Lavery, cabinet member for Residents’ Services, said the borough’s general waste had already been reduced by more than 2,000 tons in a year.

To sign up, visit www.hillingdon.gov.uk/zero-waste