Before you go out and buy new things, think about ways to use again or fix the things you already have.

While many products that we buy today are cheap they are also designed to only have a short life span so that we may have to buy many over a lifetime and create more waste each time we dispose of it.

Think smart and have things that may cost more at the outset but have a longer lifetime, can be fixed and reused, will reduce the waste you produce and save yourself money.

The rubbish bags we put out each week are just a portion of the waste that we produce. See the 'Related Info' box to your right to find out some startling facts about this.

Think about how much waste is produced for each item you buy and if the raw materials used are sustainable. Actively seeking out alternatives that create less waste would go a long way towards eliminating waste.

 

For most of the products that we buy - from food to appliances - the packaging that comes with it is not designed to 'close the loop'. In fact most packaging ends up straight in the landfill.

On top of that, over 50% of packaging waste is imported into New Zealand meaning that we are effectively paying to dispose of someone else's waste.

By buying in bulk, buying fresh local produce (minus the packaging) and using refill options (if available) then you can cut back on your packaging.

 

About 45% of the average rubbish bag is made up of kitchen scraps or grass clippings that can be composted rather than ending up in a landfill.

Do you have a garden? If so, set up a compost bin to compost your organic waste like kitchen scraps and grass clippings. Not only will your garden love it but you'll cut back dramatically on the waste you send to the landfill.

Find out how to make a compost bin and compost.

 

If space is limited at your house you might like to use EM Bokashi or Worm Farming to deal with your organic waste.

EM Bokashi is 'Effective Micro-organisms' (EM) added to sawdust. EM consists of beneficially naturally occuring micro-organisms such as lactic acid bacteria, yeast, photosynthetic bacteria and actinomycetes. EM Bokashi is added to your compost scraps that are held in an air-tight container.

Find out about EM Bokashi Composting (PDF, 160KB).

Worm Farming is another great way to deal with food scraps and turn them into rich fertiliser. Organic waste is fed to worms (that can be keep indoors or out) and they in turn produce worm casts and liquid from the composting process that is great for the soil.

Learn how to make your own worm farm.

 

A good way to start eliminating waste is with your junk mail.

Thousands of trees get cut down to create junk mail and it all eventually ends up in a landfill.

Write a notice, or buy a "no junk mail" sticker to stick on your letterbox to get rid of junk mail.

If you still need your junk mail fix, then make sure you recycle it.

 

There's no need to use plastic bags when you go shopping.

New Zealanders use over 22 million plastic bags each week and about 800 million plastic bags each year, most of which end up in the landfill. And it takes 500 years for a plastic bag to break down in landfill.

Support places that don't offer plastic bags, encourage places that do to find alternatives and take your own bags with you when you shop.

 

Disposable nappies require an enormous amount of energy and resources in their production. For example; 1 cup of crude oil goes into 1 disposable nappy.

They cost more than reusable nappies over their use period and create more waste for landfills. Current estimates suggest that disposable nappies make up around 2.7% of landfill waste.

Learn how to make your own nappies.

 

Conserve the water you have at home - be water wise:

Take showers rather than baths.

Use a dishwasher only when it is full.

Place a bottle filled with water and sealed, or a brick, in the toilet cistern to reduce the water used in flushing.

Use the correct amount of water for your washing machine load.

 

The only thing that should go in the storm water drains is rainwater.

 

Unfortunately things like cigarette butts, detergents and paints end up in the drains and eventually in streams and the sea. Check out the facts below about the impact of storm water waste in the Auckland region.

 

- it is estimated that over 45,000 cigarette butts enter our harbours every day.

- every year over 1000 native fish are killed as a result of storm water pollution.

- it is estimated that over 500,000 litres of detergent and 80,000kg of our pollutants are entering the region's streams and harbours every year as a result of car washing.

- there are 250 urban streams in the region - last year alone 10 were sterilised as a result of storm water pollution ie. everything was killed. These streams take over 10 years to recover - some never recover.

 

Clean water-based paint off brushes into the laundry sink, as long as it doesn't go into a septic tank, or tip the water onto the lawn. Wash the car on the lawn, or use a car wash that gets rid of the waste water appropriately, you'll keep detergent and extra dirt out of the drains. Put that cigarette butt in the bin.

 

Recycle what you haven't already reduced or reused.

To find out about what you can recycle in your area, click on the council that your household is in below.

 

Wellington City Council

Hutt City Council

Porirua City Council