Where does our waste need to go?

 

We need to make a big shift away from treating as disposable the goods and products we use and, instead, start seeing them as precious resources that can be used again and again, or converted to something else of value.

We also need to significantly reduce the waste we generate in the first place - this means avoiding and preventing wastage by making more considered consumption and purchasing choices.  Most of the things we use can be re-used, recycled or composted. Just doing so can reduce your total waste footprint by over 50%!

Have a look at how Waste Conscious Will did it. Check out Will's attempts to reduce his total waste footprint by half, and his home's waste footprint by up to 80%.

Also visit the Purchasing section to check out smart buying and consumption tips to reduce your total waste footprint. 

 

Top actions for a waste-free future

Here's a quick guide to minimising waste. It also provides an idea of the cost savings and waste to landfill that is reduced with each action. It's really quite easy to reduce your waste footprint by 50% almost immediately! 

Top Waste Actions

Overall benefit

Total % waste saved from landfill and the waste cycle

Prevent and minimise waste

  • Use a shopping bag.
  • Refuse bags, packaging, take away containers and junk mail.
  • Go electronic for your information and minimise paper use.
  • Maintain and repair clothes, furniture and other items.
  • Shop smart and purchase only what you need and value.

14-25%

Possible 5-15% reduction in total water and carbon footprint.

Re-use and recondition

  • Re-use plastic bags, paper, books, containers, building materials, furniture, home décor, clothes and appliances.
  • Invest in re-usable and refillable (rather than disposable) items, including pens, razors, hankies and nappies.
  • Recondition appliances or buy reconditioned.

5-10%

Possible 5-15% reduction in total water and carbon footprint.

Recycle

Glass, plastic, metal, building materials and products, batteries, appliances, printer cartridges, mobile phones.

5-10%

Possible 10-20% reduction in total water and carbon footprint.

Compost

  • Convert food, garden and vase waste to compost.
  • Use a pet poo composter.

15-30%

Reduces 70-90% of the methane emissions from landfill waste.

Buy second-hand and vintage as much as possible

Books, clothes, furniture, china, home accessories, building products and materials.

10-25%

 

Grow your own food and water it with rain water or grey water

As much as 40% of your water footprint and 20% of your carbon footprint.

 

Why not take action now? To find solutions and how-to information, have a look at the Waste-Wise Action Plan.