WORCESTERSHIRE County Council is urging people to “Buy Nothing New" during November.

The campaign encourages residents to "break free from the cycle of consumerism" and rethink spending habits and prioritise reuse, repurposing, and recycling over buying new.

The Keep Britain Tidy campaign encourages residents to think about the impulse buying culture that often accompanies events such as ‘Black Friday’.

Instead, participants are urged to waste less, make the most of what they already own, and significantly reduce their carbon footprint by committing to buy nothing new throughout November, excluding only essential items like food and medicine.

Councillor Emma Stokes, cabinet member for the environment at Worcestershire County Council said: “If everyone on Earth lived like people in the UK, we would need over two and a half planets to regenerate and absorb our waste. Transitioning to a circular economy is essential, where we waste less and cherish the items we already possess.

"While recycling is a valuable practice, reducing consumption and reusing items is far more impactful. Our ‘Let’s Waste Less’ campaign offers a wealth of resources on how to minimise waste, repair, and reuse, and we encourage residents to explore these options as we approach the festive season.”

The previous “Buy Nothing New Month” campaign saw remarkable engagement, with 73% of participants successfully avoiding new purchases, 75% finding innovative ways to reuse or repurpose items, and 43% taking the initiative to repair or mend possessions. 

For more information on the campaign, visit www.keepbritaintidy.org. For practical tips and advice on reducing waste, visit www.letswasteless.com.