Steps Toward Sustainability - Dealing With Rubbish

- Editor


Up to two-thirds of household rubbish can be reduced, reused or recycled. Reducing rubbish lowers carbon emissions, saves energy and resources, and cuts your rubbish disposal costs.

Reduce

Take control of your rubbish from the start. Reduce the amount of rubbish your household generates by buying concentrates and refi lls, or buying in bulk — these give you more product for less packaging, and less packaging means less rubbish.

You can also reduce your rubbish by using reusable shopping bags, a lunchbox and a reusable coffee cup instead of takeaway packaging, and by placing a ‘no junk mail’ sign on your letterbox.

Reuse

Your trash could be someone else’s treasure. Give away or sell your unwanted items and reduce the rubbish that goes to landfill.

Be creative and think about what you can reuse in your home – envelopes, containers, plastic bags — the list goes on.

Recycle

Each month, New Zealanders dispose of enough rubbish to fill a rugby field 30 stories high. A lot of this could be recycled instead of going to landfill.

Most councils now offer kerbside collection, or you could drop it off at your nearest transfer station. Look out for recycling bins when you’re out and about, or take your rubbish home to recycle. Check with your council for local recycling details.

Compost or use a worm farm

Forty-fi ve per cent of the average rubbish bag could be composted. Using the waste disposal unit in your kitchen sink can use up to 30 litres of water per day and puts a strain on wastewater treatment systems. A great way to reuse your food waste is to compost it or use a worm farm; both are great for the garden.

Buy pre-loved, or recycled products

Buying products that are recycled, have recycled content, or are second-hand can help to reduce the volume of waste that goes to landfill.

For more information go to www.sustainability.govt.nz