The waste at different landfills comes from the waste collected from each house in Australia. And if you want to see less wastage in dump yards, then the waste collected from each house should be less.
Waste management begins at your home, and if you can control the garbage you throw away each day, then you can see a significant dip in the waste dumped in the dump yards.
Though the Australian government takes enough measures to eliminate waste, it should be every citizen’s responsibility to minimise the waste produced. And it begins in your household.
Below are a few effective tips on controlling waste in a house.
Purchase fewer items
When you buy fewer items, you will have fewer things to throw away. Whenever you go shopping, especially for groceries, limit the purchase of packaging items and buy only whatever you need. When you control the purchases, then you will throw out less packed items.
While you’re at it, you can go a step ahead and control buying clothes and other shopping items that are not useful to you or at your home. Be sure to ask whether you really need the item before you purchase it.
Look for eco-friendlier options
The threat of plastic to the environment is increasing day by day, not only on land but also on water bodies as well. Hence, look for eco-friendlier options in packaging whenever you go shopping.
And you can also opt for businesses that give particular care to eco-friendly packaging. Wherever possible, look for package-free/ low-packaging/ recyclable and reusable items. The more you buy such items, the less is the waste to throw away.
Avoid food waste
Plastic is not the only kind of waste that you should minimise but organic waste also.
It is said that nearly 7.6 million tonnes of food is wasted, and one of the reasons is by throwing the leftover food.
You may think that you are throwing only the leftover food but calculate the amount of leftovers thrown from each house in a country. It’s the perfect reason to reflect on your meals and prepping just enough to feed your family.
For this, you can plan out your meals, and if possible, learn how you can store the leftovers properly. Educate your family on food wastage and why it’s not bad to consume the leftover the next day, of course, after checking the edibility.
Buy secondhand clothing and items
Your mind may not accept buying second-hand items but it’s a sustainable and eco-friendly option. Not only clothing but you can also think about buying second-hand furniture, décor, books, utensils, etc.
Most of the second-hand shops maintain things in a good way and many items seem new as well. Wherever possible, invest in second-hand purchases, and also donate items or clothes to minimise the thrown-away items in your house.
Go paperless where you can
Avoid using excessive packaging items like plastic and paper. Even though the paper packaging is eco-friendly, it’s still waste that should be thrown away.
You can invest in reusable bags and take them when you purchase loose items like veggies, fruits, and any other dry things.
Avoid single-use and disposable items
Single-use products such as razor blades and wet wipes are avoidable. Replace them with reusable items to minimise the wastage of single-use products.
You can also think of water bottles that are thrown away after drinking the water. Instead, you can always carry a reusable water bottle and fill it with tap water whenever it’s emptied.
You can also avoid using plastic tooth-brush and purchase an eco-friendly one. There are biodegradable toothbrushes increasingly available in modern days.
Invest in quality items
If possible, try to limit repetitive purchasing wherever possible. For instance, resist buying clothes with cheap fabric and design as it’s not sustainable. You will have to buy again to replace the damaged clothes and fabric. You will also have more things to throw away and ultimately, you are increasing the waste produced in your household.
Always invest in quality pieces and use them for as long as possible. It’s not only sustainable but also an efficient way of managing household waste.
