For what's on listings:
WEN is running a 'Waste Not' training day for London community organisations that want to run effective waste prevention activities on Saturday 10 September 2005 in Central London. Contact Maeve Murphy, 020 7481 9004/waste2@wen.org.uk.

-----

Ever wondered what you or your community can do about excessive packaging from your local supermarket? Or worried about all the household goods cluttering people's lofts, sheds or spare rooms because they're no longer needed but are too good to throw away? Two guides from Women's Environmental Network (WEN) have the answers.

· WEN's Packaging Action Kit is a step-by-step guide for individuals and groups on how to tackle the disturbing amounts of waste from the typical shopping trip. From the simplest action, such as leaving excess packaging at the checkout (and telling the assistant why), to a fully-fledged community campaign, the kit has all you need to know to challenge supermarkets to reduce waste and fulfil their legal obligations. It includes templates for letters to store managers and press releases to local media, tips on getting 'supermarket savvy' and ideas for low-waste shopping.

· One person's rubbish is someone else's treasure: WEN's Guide to Running a Give or Take Day is designed for community groups and local authorities. Developed with the Forest Recycling Project, Give or Take Days are fun, easy to run and a great way to divert useful items away from landfill into the hands of people who can really use them. Think of a swap shop or a jumble sale with no money changing hands. People can bring along virtually any household items (in good condition) and take away others. At one event a lucky punter snapped up an entire kitchen! G or T Days both reduce waste and can help tackle poverty and so are of interest to groups such as Sure Start. The Guide covers relevant legislation and pitfalls to avoid.

Maeve Murphy, WEN's Waste Prevention Officer, said: "In the UK we dump a shocking 414 million tonnes of waste in landfill every year - much of this is unnecessary packaging or perfectly good items that someone could use. Challenging supermarkets and running a Give or Take Days are ideal activities for community groups to get their teeth into and make a difference in their area - and WEN's resources provide the templates."

Both guides are available to download free from www.wen.org.uk/waste/resources.htm or, £2.50 for a hard copy of the Packaging Action Kit, £1 for the GoT Day guide to Waste Guides, WEN, PO Box 30626, London E1 1TZ.

ENDS

Contact Maeve Murphy or Liz Sutton, Communications Co-ordinator, on 020 7481 9004.

NOTES TO EDITORS
1. WEN is a national membership charity that campaigns on environmental and health issues from a women's perspective. For more on WEN's approach to waste prevention visit www.wen.org.uk/waste

2. WEN is running a 'Waste Not' training day for London community organisations that want to run effective waste prevention activities on Saturday 10 September 2005. Contact Maeve Murphy on 020 7481 9004 or waste2@wen.org.uk for details.

3. The average UK household spends one sixth of their total food budget, up to £470 a year, on packaging. The packaging we each carry home every year is the equivalent of 170 bags of sugar.

4. Forest Recycling Project (FRP) is a not-for-profit community business, which works in the London Borough of Waltham Forest and surrounding areas. See www.frponline.org.uk