National Recycling Week has kicked off with swap shops held around the borough.

Participants were given the opportunity to bring along anything they didn’t need and exchange it for something they wanted.

The first of the five Give and Take days was held on Saturday at the Ilford Islamic Centre, Albert Road, Ilford, and attracted more than 100 people.

Chairman of the centre Ghazanfar Ali, 68, of Seven Kings, said: “It was successful. We, as human beings, need to be really careful as declining resources will affect all of us, especially the young people, over the next 20-30 years.”

He added: “Why waste things when you can reuse them and it’s saving money?”

The next Give and Take Day will be held at the Prince of Wales pub, Green Lane, Ilford, on Sunday from 1.30-6pm.

There will be a barbecue which includes halal meat, DJ and henna and face painting, all for free.

People will also be able to bring along their unwanted goods to exchange.

One of the organisers Wilson Chowdhry, 37, of Ilford, said: “We felt that there was a way to expand the understanding about recycling by holding a community event.”