Waste is only waste when we throw it away
Yet there are so many ways we can reduce, reuse and recycle waste, without relying on the wheelie bin. Find out how to become mates with waste.
The most common waste we see
- Food waste
- Packaging
- Textiles
All valuable commodities, crying out to be reduced and recycled right
Food Waste
One in five shopping bags of food ends up in the bin in Australia, which equates to $3,800 per household each year. Apart from wasting money, what does this mean to our environment? Rotting food produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, Australians generate around to around 6.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from food waste. Let’s not forget the carbon footprint to grow, harvest, transport, and package food we waste. Reducing food waste is our key to reducing our environmental impact. Check out our how to reduce food waste
How to write a shopping list and meal plan
For more tips to recycle food waste check out Share Waste on our Useful Links page
Packaging
Packaging is a necessary evil; it is not possible to transport food from Victoria to Queensland or WA to Sydney and expect it to arrive safe and sound if it is not packaged in some way. Sourcing food from a bulk fill store or a farmer’s market is not available to everyone, for this reason we must expect a certain amount of packaging without going to the extreme of excess packaging.
There is a lot of confusion around bio degradable and compostable plastics, to explain the difference we looked at Ocean Watch Australia
The good news is many of our soft plastics can be recycled through REDCycle and Check it Before you Chuck It, the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) an evidence-based system for Australia and New Zealand, that provides you with easy to understand recycling information when you need it most. It removes confusion, saves you time and reduces waste going to landfill.
What can we do to become mates with waste?
- Check it before you chuck it
- Buy products made from recycled content
- Buy pre-loved and second-hand products
- Before buying rethink- How will I dispose of it at end of life? -Is it made locally? -Can I borrow instead of buying?
- Rinse containers before placing in the recycle bin
- Separate waste- leave lids off, if possible, remove labels from jars and tins
- Choose to reuse over single use
- Return ink cartridges-pens-e waste to Officeworks
- Recycle toothpaste tubes and plastic brushes, masks, some cosmetics and pet food with Terracycle
- Recycle E Waste with Mobile Muster, TechCollect
- Recycle bread tags through Aussie Wheelchairs
- Ask your local council what can and can’t be recycled
- Recycle batteries at Aldi, some Foodworks and Woolworths
- Recycle at home- compost, worm farm
- Recycle textiles through your local textile recycling company such as SCR Group, Recycle Smart
- Refuse excess packaging
- Repurpose and use what you have, make yourself a hik cup
- Learn to repair or visit your local Repair Café
- Waste less
- Think and act local
- Ask questions- Can it be recycled, where can I recycle at end of life? Do I need it?
- Buy what you need
- Eat all your food
- Use what you have
- Make a #hik_cup
For more tips to recycle right visit the Eco Organiser Useful Links page, with over 100 ways to responsibly dispose of items you are sure to find what you need and want.
Australian waste coach, motivational speaker, Tanya Lewis aka The Eco Organiser® founder of The 10R’s© and author educates people on how to reduce was and live well with less. From the Australian bush to the Sydney Opera House, Mumbai and universities such as Melbourne, Queensland & Strathclyde (UK) Tanya has helped over 8000 people ethically declutter and reduce waste.
Eco Organiser® communicates a simple message in simple language, by keeping it real and delivered in a non-judgemental you avoid the glazed over look, of “not another recycling message” Tanya love’s being invited into communities, corporations, universities and businesses to share her passion and simple actions to reduce waste and move towards a sustainable lifestyle.
For further information or to book Tanya at your next event or help your team/community become mates with waste:
Email duncan@platinumcre8ive.com
Phone +61 411 895 353
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