Share, Repair, Reduce, Reuse

Whether we like it or not, we live in a consumerist world. Walk into any shop and you will see aisles of products packaged in single use plastics, as well as many disposable or ‘short-life’ goods. We are constantly being encouraged to buy more than we really need. Our homes are filled with many items that end their days in land-fill (here or abroad), incinerators or in our rivers and oceans

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Here in the South Hams there are a number of projects run through our community groups and companies whose volunteers clean up some of this waste, run re-use and recycling projects and also encourage residents and visitors to consider alternatives when purchasing products. 

Hopefully some of the projects on this website may provide ideas and inspiration.  Many established groups will be more than happy to talk with you about setting up your own project and may be able to share resources to make it easier.  Why write a Risk Assessment from scratch when you can probably modify one that is already written?

If you have a project that fits into this category but isn’t listed here please ‘add a project’ so that we can share the good work you are doing. 

Get in touch with Ben Bryant, our Saving Earth Resources Mentor, for any further information or advice on ben@sussh.org

News

What are positive tipping points?

What are positive tipping points?

Tipping points are moments when small changes lead to big, sometimes irreversible changes in a system.

March 5, 2025
February Changemakers catch up and cake

February Changemakers catch up and cake

We had a great time at our Changemakers catch up on Friday 28th February. It was an unusual one for us as we went into it with no agenda, we wanted to hear from you about your latest news and how we can support you in 2025.

March 3, 2025
Would you like to see more action for climate and nature in your community?

Would you like to see more action for climate and nature in your community?

Sustainable South Hams are piloting a project called "Community Action for Climate and Nature: empowering local collaboration for a brighter future". We are looking for communities from across the South Hams to get involved and be part of this exciting programme.

February 27, 2025

Groups

Transition Town Totnes

Transition Town Totnes

Transition Streets - a community-focussed initiative supporting social cohesion, carbon reduction, and energy saving; Incredible Edible Totnes - supporting local and accessible food growing in public spaces; Totnes Climate Hub - a public space for creating community support and local responses to our global challenges; REconomy Project - a project inspiring economic regeneration locally; Time to Breathe - a meditative space for personal wellbeing support

20-100
Volunteers
Charity
Project Cost
Bigbury Net Zero

Bigbury Net Zero

Bigbury Net Zero is a community group promoting cooperation between neighbouring parishes in Aveton Gifford, Thurlestone, Ringmore, Kingston & Modbury in order to reduce our joint carbon footprint and rebuild nature between the River Avon and the River Erme.

20-100
Volunteers
Community Association
Project Cost
Sustainable South Brent

Sustainable South Brent

We now have a number of well-established projects, including the Marsh Composting Centre, a school garden, a hedges and woodland group and the 4B's. We have more than 200 members. SSB works closely with South Brent Parish Council who declared a Climate and Ecological Emergency in 2019. The Trustee group is presently reviewing strategic priorities and is currently focussing new effort around transport and energy projects.

100+
Volunteers
Charity
Project Cost

Projects

Run a Composting Scheme in Your Community

Run a Composting Scheme in Your Community

The Marsh is a thriving community compost group open year-round

Volunteers
Project Cost
Host Climate and Nature Event with Local Sustainability Groups

Host Climate and Nature Event with Local Sustainability Groups

A joint project led by SMASH with speakers, stalls and networking opportunities

5-20
Volunteers
<£5k
Project Cost
Create Climate & Nature Lending Library

Create Climate & Nature Lending Library

ReUsing the Big Red Telephone Box as lending library for climate & nature books

<5
Volunteers
Free
Project Cost