Reducing Waste

A little bit of thought about waste and how you dispose of it can make a big difference.

Reducing waste can:

  • Save you money
  • Create jobs
  • Keep people safe
  • Improve the environment.

Why do we waste so much?

Single use packaging

Designed to catch our eye and make us buy more

Bubble wrap

Items not built to last

How often do you replace your phone, electronic devices, clothes, furniture?

Broken machine

Choosing easy options

Buying take away food when we have a full fridge because we're too busy to cook

Takeaway

Buying things to make us feel good

Like new clothes or a toy to keep the kids quiet

Clothes

Not knowing what else to do

Many things we throw away can be useful to others or recycled, but how?

Toys

What can you do?

Ask "Why?" before you buy

Why do I want to buy this?
Can I use something I already have?
Can I …
- Rent (tools, clothes, partiy supplies)
- Borrow or swap (books, clothes, tools)
- Buy second-hand or sell (online or thrift shops)
- Repair or reuse (lots of information online)

Tools

Reduce waste by ...

- Donating to charitable organisations
- Visit givit.org.au, an organisation which helps match items with people who need them
- Buying local to save on packaging and transport
- Buying in bulk to save money and packaging

Buy local

Choose to reuse

Single use items waste energy, materials and water and can end up as hard-to-manage litter
Choose reusable items:
- Water bottles
- Lunch boxes
- Reusable bags
- Coffee cups

Reusable coffee cup

Tips for the bathroom and laundry

- Bicarbonate of soda & vinegar for cleaning
- Cloth nappies
- Solid soaps & personal care products
- Refills
- Reusable menstrual products

Reusable

How to reduce waste - Your handy guide

This guide has been produced to help residents make choices that will improve their world as well as the environment by avoiding waste and maximising opportunities to reuse and recycle while saving money.