Avoid and minimise waste
Did you know plastic can take up to 500 years to decompose? Or that about 90% of recyclable office paper goes straight to landfill rather than being recycled?
Reducing waste is about taking simple actions to avoid and minimise the total waste we generate. About 50% of the waste we generate ends up in our bins and a lot of it is food and items we discard after one use or because we don't want them anymore. Here are some ways to avoid and minimise your waste:
Top actions to avoid and minimise waste
Only buy what you need and want. Avoid ‘shopping therapy' and wasting money on things you or others won't use. It is estimated that, at any one time, the average home has over $12,000 worth of items that are ‘lost' in storage, not needed or not used! Try our smart purchasing tips.
Carry a shopping bag. Avoid plastic bags and packaging when buying groceries, clothes, shoes and other items by carrying a couple of shopping bags with you. There are now shopping bags that not only contain smaller bags but fold up into a tiny purse that can be conveniently kept in your pocket, bag or pack very easily, so there is no excuse not to.
Shop smart for less garbage. Use a shopping list. Try not to buy things on impulse and only what you need. Buy only the amount of fresh food you need and minimise food waste as much as possible. Buy goods that are durable, long-lasting, repairable, and that will not go out of fashion quickly.
Buy minimally-packaged items and food. Reject heavily packaged and plastic-wrapped items. Instead, buy unpackaged fresh produce and dried foods. When buying packaged goods, choose packaging that is either made from recycled materials or that can be refilled, re-used or recycled. If possible, buy all your food from bulk stores or markets. Minimise the use of single-serve convenience packaging and buy the largest size practical of regularly used items such as pasta, rice and oil. Choose products that have refills (e.g., certain ballpoint pens, some laundry detergents).
Minimise takeaway containers. Minimise the use of disposable takeaway containers and bags. Simple ways include bringing a mug to take to your local café while at work and making your own lunch or eating lunch where you buy it.
Kiss junk mail goodbye. Post a ‘No Junk Mail' sign on your letterbox and reject advertising material. Most of this ends up unread in the rubbish anyway.
Go electronic. To dramatically reduce your paper waste, use the Internet to access news, magazines and information, and to receive and pay bills. It is also a great way to send greeting cards (or make your own with recycled paper).
Go easy on concentrates. Many of the cleaning agents we use come in concentrated form, such as dishwashing or clothing detergents and conditioners, surface cleaners, even soaps and shampoos. Using more than the recommended amount does not clean or condition better; it wastes both money and resources.
Maintain and repair. Most items like clothes, shoes, tools, furniture and appliances will be long-lasting with a little care, maintenance and repair. Avoid replacing items that are in good order just because you can't be bothered cleaning or repairing them.
Share or hire items, and join a library. With the trend toward smaller dwellings and apartment-living, it makes sense for neighbours to share rather than buy less used maintenance items such as large power-tools, lawnmowers, trolleys and ladders. There is a growing number of toy and tool libraries in inner Melbourne (check with your local community centre, neighbourhood house or council). Where possible, hire tools or other seldom-used items. Join a local library for books, magazines, journals and other reading items.