Recyling and waste tips
REDUCE: THE AMOUNT YOU CONSUME AND THE WASTE YOU PRODUCE
Here are some ideas on how you can reduce the amount of rubbish that is sent to landfill.
Why not check out our Smart Shopping Fact Sheet (234KB) for information on how you can be a low-waste shopper and some great tips and gift ideas.
- buy in bulk - it reduces the amount of packaging you take home and saves you money
- buy only what you need - impulse buying may result in buying things you can't use
- ask yourself "Do I really need this?" - place a NO ADVERTISING MATERIAL sticker on your letter box
- if you have a home computer, reduce the use of paper by proof reading
your work from the screen before printing a hard copy - refuse plastic bags - take your own bag, box, or container when shopping
- TYOM Take Your Own Mug - to places (work, conferences, functions) where drinks
will be served in disposable cups - send messages via e-mail rather than fax and save paper
- be selective when shopping - buy items with packaging that can be reused
- shop at food co-ops where you can take your own containers and avoid packaging all together
- keep a set of containers in your car or a shopping bag
in your carry bag if you have to do some unexpected shopping - take your lunch in a re useable container
- avoid buying disposable items like nappies, razors or tissues. The durable alternatives
(cloth nappies, electric razor or hankerchiefs) last longer and might be cheaper in the long run
Pictured: An example of a worm farm and compost bin, both of which we sell.
REUSE
- reuse paper - and use both sides of the paper
- reuse old cards or wrapping paper to wrap presents
- reuse milk cartons by planting seedlings in them
- reuse take-away food containers for storing food or putting your lunch in it to take to work or school
- buy reuseable items - ballpoint pens, refillable containers, reusable toothbrushes
- borrow/swap items rather than buying new ones
- reuse envelopes by covering the address with a plain label or a stick on a piece of paper
- give old clothes, toys and furniture to charity shops or second hand stores
- hold a garage sale to get rid of unwanted items
- repair toys, clothes, furniture rather than buying new items
- use the back of a used envelope as a shopping list
- put a tray next to the photocopier for reuseable paper
- shop at second hand or 'recycled fashion' stores
- glass jars and containers are perfect to store small items in at home
- join your local library and borrow books, magazines and compact disks
RECYCLE
- compost garden clippings and other garden wastes
- start up a worm farm for your kitchen scraps. Worm castings make great natural fertiliser for your plants and are fun to keep!
- paper contaminated by food can be put in your compost
- use Council's recycling service to recycle: paper and cardboard,
aluminium cans, steel cans, plastic bottles, and containers numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 on the bottom, milk and juice cartons, glass jars and bottles - Waste Transfer Stations will accept the following items free of charge for recycling (see Self-disposal options):
- glass
- cardboard
- aluminium cans
- sump oil
- car batteries
- PET plastic bottles
- HDPE plastic bottles
- steel cans
- paper
- LPB milk and juice cartons
- buy recycled products or products that can be recycled in your local area
- leave your grass clippings on your lawn as mulch
- start a recycling system, compost or worm farm at school or work
If you need to know more about reducing waste, please call our Waste Education Officer on 9789 9485 or come into our Customer Service Centre at 137 Beamish Street, Campsie.
