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Living sustainably means living smarter. Through this site you’ll learn how to reduce your impact on the environment and save money.

Click here to create your 'Next Step' Plan.

Goals:

I want to minimise my rubbish

The following tips will help you to achieve this goal.

Small steps

Choose products that are recycled or have recycled content

This reduces the amount of packaging that needs to be recycled.

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!

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!

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.

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

These can be reheated quickly, avoiding the rubbish created by buying 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.

Reuse mail envelopes that you use with labels

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

Using a water filter still provides you with fresh drinking water while reducing the number of water bottles to be recycled - it is also 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

This reduces plastic food wrap and tinfoil use.

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.

Medium steps

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.

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.

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.

Try re-usable cloth nappies

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

Try a static cleaning cloth as it cleans without cleaning product

The static cleaning cloth costs more initially, but is better for the environment.

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.

Big steps

Give ‘experiences’ as presents

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