Waste management has become crucial in today’s world, especially at the household level. Australia continues to set a higher standard for sustainability. It is reported that, on average, each Australian generates about 540 kilos of household waste every year. As a result, state and local councils and waste collection agencies are working to educate the public on better waste disposal practices. The following are the top 10 tips for reducing household waste and eliminating most of the waste you normally contribute to landfills. Here are some waste management tips for reducing household waste.
The very first component towards reducing household waste is seeking and accepting the recommended 5 Rs model. Environmentalists usually advocate that “no matter how lame it sounds, refusing any frivolous items and reconsidering your purchase habits is their number one rule for a sustainable lifestyle.” Avoiding single-use plastic, minimising overconsumption, opting for reusable items, correctly sorting recyclables, and composting organic materials can help reduce waste.
To illustrate, refusing to take plastic bags and using cloth ones will physically bring down the region’s clientele’s plastic waste, which is up to 84% of all plastic utilised in the area. Removing the dependence on extra items, such as throwaway coffee cups, containers, and the like, can have a sizeable effect.
Composting is an effective method for reducing waste at home. Organic waste accounts for about 40% of the rubbish collected in Australian households. A lot of waste can be avoided by composting food waste, grass trimmings, and other organic materials that look relatively clean.
Owing to this, Adam Johnson, a spokesperson from Cleanaway, added, “Composting is an alternative system of organic waste management that has the advantage of minimising methane from landfills.” Composting is also easy. Consider having one in the backyard, or if that is not possible, then turn to community composting. Many Australian councils provide composting bins or educational programs to encourage all household members to practice this activity whenever needed.
Even though household waste is decreasing, it’s important to consider the products’ source and packaging. While some businesses strive to provide environmentally safe containers, shoppers have some decisions to make. Look for products that bypass excessively overpriced packaging.
In Australia, they generate about 2.5 million tons of packaging-associated waste nutrients per year. This can help cut out this figure to a vast extent, especially if people opt for fewer packaged items or bulk purchases.
In today’s consumerism, the tendency to discard broken items and replenish something new is all too common. However, such a mindset may not be conducive to household goods, as they are materials that can be wasted in abundance. “Using that toaster or that diffused pair of shoes for longer saves resources and reduces the unavoidable rubbish,” adds author Kelly Coleman, who focuses on self-sufficient living.
For Australians, this is a perfect chance to take part in activities such as repair cafes or workshops that encourage learning rather than disposing of the item. Such projects are being developed throughout the country, allowing people to come in to have their damaged items repaired for free or at a nominal cost.
Repulsive, though it may seem, changing one’s attitude toward household waste can prove effective in curbing waste generation in households. Whether it’s grocery shopping or lunch packing, using reusable items reduces the need for single-use plastics and plastic wrapping.
According to a recent survey, if Australians began using shopping bags that can be reused, Australia would reduce about 1.5 billion plastic bags annually. There are food containers that can be reused repeatedly, as well as water bottles that can be reused and disposed of after a long period.
Purchasing second-hand products is one of the most common waste management tips. It is also one of the easiest yet effective steps in minimising household waste. Be it a dress, a sofa, or a gadget, buying used items reduces the need for fashioning new products and ensures that usable items don’t end up in waste.
The popularity of the third market is shaping itself greatly in Australia, with Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace providing easier access to quality second-hand items.
Despite the various recycling initiatives, some Australians still need help with the concept of recycling. Proper recycling “can divert waste from going into landfill areas, but it has to be done properly,” says Tony Webb from Waste Management Australia. Simple measures, such as putting soft plastics into recycling bins, lead to contamination, meaning other batches of recycled products will not be processed.
Knowing the local council’s recycling policies is helpful for the people because they will know what items need to be recycled rather than disposed of in landfills.
Throwing away useful articles is not an option; therefore, there is the option of giving the articles to someone else for use. We can donate second-hand clothes, toys, electronics, and other items to charitable institutions or community groups that help people and reduce waste in landfills.
It has been established that in Australia alone, there are about five hundred thousand metric tons of textile waste from households annually. Donating clothes to other individuals can help address this number.
Besides the waste minimisation strategies explored in this paper, this approach is effective in reducing household waste, specifically food waste. Every year, food expands in Australia, with 7.6 million metric tons scooped into the waste bins. By properly planning meals and shopping, households can eliminate the problem of food waste.
Last on our list of waste management tips is endorsing initiatives in the circular economy. This is a good last resort to eliminate waste. Eliminating waste is the primary goal of a circular economy, which involves reusing or recycling waste materials. However, many Australian firms have accepted the transition to these business practices within the economy.
With these ten waste management tips, Australians can contribute to making Earth a better place for everyone. This tackles the challenges of climate change and address the growing issue of household waste. It is timely and has detrimental effects on the planet. It is a fact that the gradual implementation of these practices by many individuals can significantly reduce the country’s waste generation footprint.