I want to minimise my rubbish

Choose products that are recycled or have recycled content

Choosing recycled products or products with recycled content supports recycling initiatives and sends a message to producers to keep supplying these types of products.

Choose products that display the Environmental Choice tick

These products are designed to have lower environmental impact.

Give away or sell unwanted items such as clothes, furniture, toys and paint

This will reduce clutter in your home and allow others to get some use from your unwanted items.

Reduce waste by discouraging 'junk mail'

Put a ‘no junk mail please’ sticker on your letter box. This will reduce the demand for paper and save trees!

Choose rechargeable batteries instead of single use batteries

Although they cost more up-front, each rechargeable battery can be used again preventing the need to purchase new batteries, and adding to the electronic waste going to landfill when they are not disposed of correctly.

Recycle old electronic waste

Recycle old computers, TVs and cell phones (electronic waste). Old cell phones can be taken back to Telecom or Vodafone stores for re-use or recycling.

When printing, try to print on both sides of the paper

This will save energy, water and trees!

Consider freezing your leftovers in re-usable containers to avoid waste

Reusing leftovers reduces your food waste and your food bill. Leftovers can also be a quick alternative to takeaways.

Use re-usable cloth bags for your shopping

This reduces the number of plastic bags that you will need while shopping.

Keep a plastic box, or a laundry basket, in the car boot for your groceries

This reduces the number of plastic bags that you will need while shopping.

Reduce your rubbish and choose concentrates and refills, or buy in bulk

This reduces the amount of packaging that needs to be recycled and will save you money.

Reuse envelopes by putting labels over the old address

This reduces the number of new envelopes that you will need to purchase, and the number of envelopes that need to be recycled.

Use crockery and cutlery instead of disposable cups, plates and cutlery

This will reduce the amount of rubbish you throw away and save you money.

Drink tap water instead of buying bottled water

Bottled water costs you money and you're left with plastic bottles which need to be recycled. If you don't like you tap water consider purchasing a water filter. It will end up being cheaper in the long-run.

Think about the food you buy — reduce food waste and only buy what you need

Make a list, buy in bulk, buy only what you need and cook at home.

Use a lunchbox and a re-usable coffee cup instead of disposable packaging

Using a lunch box instead of plastic wrap, and a re-usable coffee cup instead of disposable takeaway cups, reduces the amount of rubbish you create. Using lunch boxes and storage containers for leftovers means that you won't have to buy plastic wrap.

Consider changing your bank statements to online only

Choosing only online versions of your bank statements will reduce the amount of waste paper being created.

Ask yourself if you really need to buy new household items

Do you have something you could re-use or repair, or could you borrow things from friends or family?

Know what you need and what suits you when you go shopping for clothes

This helps you avoid impulse buying and can save you money.

If you have young children, see if your extended family have childrens’ clothing which could be passed down

This will save you money because children grow out of clothes very quickly. Re-using clothing also prevents it being sent to a landfill.

Freeze leftovers and meals you don’t want to eat right away

This will help you to avoid wasting food, and means you can have a healthy meal available for those busy days when you don’t have time to cook.

Take your own containers to the butcher to save on packaging

The butcher just puts the meat straight into a container, which can be labelled and put in the freezer.

Bake your own food and save on packaging

Baking your own bread, cakes and biscuits is a great way to reduce rubbish from packaging.

Use the internet to search for shopping information

The internet can be used to search for information and prices, rather than requesting hard copy brochures.

Re-use your food waste by composting

Composting your food scraps is good for the garden and reduces the amount of organic rubbish going to landfill. It is also an alternative to using your in sink waste disposal.

Re-use your food waste and set up a worm farm

Worm farms turn food scraps into 'worm juice' and worm casts that you can use for fertiliser for your pot plants and garden.

Buy pre-loved furniture, books, clothing and toys

This minimises rubbish and energy use, saves landfill space, generates income for charities and social groups and saves you money. Visit reducing your rubbish for more information.

Try re-usable cloth nappies

This saves the cost of disposable nappies and reduces your landfill rubbish.

Give ‘experiences’ as presents

Massage vouchers, dinners out, and even your time make marvellous presents and don't require any wasteful packaging.

Try a static cleaning cloth as it cleans without cleaning product

The static cleaning cloth costs more initially, but you can save money by not needing to buy so many cleaning products.

Consider attending a Sustainable Living course

Sustainable Living courses are offered throughout the country and provide practical methods and tips to living sustainably in your home. Some of the topics include: transport, organic gardening, saving water and shopping choices. To find out more, and where your closest course is visit Sustainable Living evening courses and introductory workshop sessions.

If you can, grow your own fruit and vegetables

Planting a fruit and vegetable garden is rewarding and will reduce the amount of rubbish created from packaging.

Buy good quality clothing that will last

This might cost more initially but will save you money in the long run.

Try refashioning your clothes by adding a trim or accessorising

It’s a fun activity and by giving your clothes a new lease on life you might find that you don’t need to spend money buying more.

If you need more clothes why not try shwopping, op-shopping or second hand shopping?

You can find some really nice clothes and save money. Re-using clothing also prevents it being sent to a landfill.

If you have fruit trees, a vegetable garden, or access to cheap produce when it is in season try preserving it

This means you can avoid wasting food, plus you can eat the fruit and vegetables you enjoy when they’re not in season.

Make your clothes last longer

Check for moths, mend your clothes, avoid excessive washing and use your washing line instead of the dryer which can be harsh on clothes. These actions will help make your clothes last longer. Using the washing line also helps save money on your power bill.

Goals:

Small steps