Over four tonnes of rubbish was kept out of the bin in February thanks to Wiltshire residents who took part in Waste Free Feb.

The challenge, organised by Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, asked residents to produce as little waste as possible and instead reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost more. Over three hundred people took part across the county.

The majority opted to limit their waste to a carrier bag or a small pedal bin bag for the whole month. People started compost bins, avoided black plastic, and took refill containers to shops as part of the initiative.

One participant said the most challenging aspect was “just a change of mindset – which we have now adopted for the future.”

Many highlighted the benefits of the challenge, including encouraging a healthier lifestyle by avoiding plastic-wrapped convenience foods and microwave meals, and selling and giving things away they would normally have thrown in the bin.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust’s Sustainability Officer Jessica Thimbleby said: “We’re really pleased so many people got involved with Waste Free Feb and made changes that have had a big impact on how much waste they now throw away.

"Thank you everyone for helping to save over four tonnes of rubbish – that’s equal to the weight of two and a half medium-sized cars! It just shows what a big difference we can all make by making small changes.”

The average Wiltshire household produces almost half a tonne of rubbish a year, not including what is thrown away when people are out of the house.