It's not an easy time to feel hopeful, but I've written here about five things we're taking from 2020 at Zero Waste Leeds that make us feel hopeful for 2021. Waste-related obviously, but as always, part of a bigger picture. Quick thread follows. https://www.zerowasteleeds.org.uk/posts/five-signs-of-hope-from-2020-that-we're-taking-into-2021/

Up first - the power of community. Yes the pandemic has brought out the worst in some people, but it's also reminded us of how for so many of us, our instinct is to reach out & help. We saw that so often, including with Leeds School Uniform Exchange. https://www.zerowasteleeds.org.uk/posts/five-signs-of-hope-from-2020-that-we're-taking-into-2021/

Second reason to be hopeful - changes in habits at home that helped us to cut down on waste. Amongst those of us fortunate enough to have plenty of food, lockdown last year saw many of reducing the amount of food we waste at home. A habit to keep.

Third of our reasons to be hopeful - people sharing stuff locally. WhatsApp groups on streets across Leeds have been used to look out for each other - & morphed into self-organised sharing platforms too. Ladders, drills, bread flour that never made it into a lockdown loaf...

Fourth reason - learning to make do and mend. We often don't bother through lack of time and skills - and ease of buying new. That changed in 2020. Whether it's quick repairs on clothes, or learning basic bike fixes, things changed for a lot of us. https://www.zerowasteleeds.org.uk/posts/five-signs-of-hope-from-2020-that-we're-taking-into-2021/

And fifth reason to be hopeful, and the big one for the next few weeks and months - tech for good. Local people have stepped up - through groups like @TechAngels_ & @DawYorks - to take surplus laptops and tablets & pass them on to people who need them. https://www.zerowasteleeds.org.uk/posts/five-signs-of-hope-from-2020-that-we're-taking-into-2021/