So you recycle (when you can remember) and freeze all your leftovers, but how far are you willing to take this “waste-free” thing?
Now, there’s a new trend that pushes sustainability to the limits. Some people are so savvy with their waste that they can fit a whole year’s worth of rubbish into a single mason jar. No kidding.
Needless to say, this made us take a step back and have a really hard look at our waste habits (okay, maybe we don’t need…)
If it’s made you do the same, here are some simple and practical ways that we try to minimise our waste. Do you have any more to add to the list?
1. Say no to plastics.
We just about died when we saw a supermarket chain selling avocados pre-cut and sealed within plastic packaging (if only avocados had a naturally protective skin, right?). We need to be mindful of our plastic usage.
Do you really need that shopping bag? Is it necessary to clingwrap your food in the microwave? Can you find a better product that isn’t encased in petrochemicals that take thousands to years to break down? All things to think about.
2. Recycle.
And we’re not just talking sorting your papers from your plastics (that’s extremely important, though!). In the IQS office, for example, we turn old jars into drinking glasses or plant pots, use written-on Post-Its as bookmarks and Sarah even washes out her ziplock bags. Seriously, the options are endless.
3. Drink from the bloody tap.
Over five million Australians drink bottled water at least once a week, paying more per litre than milk and petrol. Guys, stop. We have some of the cleanest drinking water in the world! Buy a reusable (preferably glass) bottle and fill it up with tap water as you need.
4. Buy from markets.
The farmer’s markets are not a place you’ll find shrink-wrapped, Styrofoamed veggies. Take your stylish market bag and you’ll only stock up on what you really need.
5. Cook from scratch.
You could spend five dollars on plastic-wrapped granola bars or make enough homemade and healthy granola bars to last a fortnight. The same principle applies with basically anything! See tip seven for how to buy package-free foods to cook from scratch.
6. Compost, compost, compost!
Did you know you can compost cardboard, paper, small pieces of wood, tea bags without staples, dust from your vacuum cleaner?!
Invest in a composter and you’ll not only get rid of most of your organic waste, but have a flourishing garden, too.
7. Buy in bulk.
No plastic packaging, less carbon miles AND you can buy exactly how much you want. Check out tips for buying bulk foods here.
8. Refuse junk mail.
Short of putting a great stonking “NO JUNK MAIL” sign over your letterbox, there are things you can do to avoid unnecessary flyers and promotions. The best way is to contact the company mailing things and ask them not to send more. Sarah does this, and recycles whatever else comes her way.
9. Learn to DIY.
Use what you already have at home to make chemical-free, waste-free alternatives. Baking soda for cleaning, anyone? You can also DIY a lot of beauty products – arrowroot flour for dry shampoo, apple cider vinegar for shiny hair, coconut oil for literally everything. Read Sarah’s DIY beauty tips here.
10. Take it slowly.
You’re not going to change all your waste habits overnight, and that’s okay. Be gentle with yourself and the planet, and soon you’ll have built the skills and resources to keep a year’s waste to one tiny jar. Well… here’s hoping!
What do you do to reduce waste at home?
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