Reduce and reuse

Reduce, reuse, recycle and minimise your ecological footprint today - it's easier than you think.

Avoid unnecessary packaging by reducing the amount you take home with your shopping, by reusing and recycling products where you can and by buying recyclable or recycled goods. Find out about how to dispose of harmful household products such as batteries and gas cylinders through chemical disposal providers and think about simple steps that reduce landfill, such as computer recycling.

For more information about chemical disposal and computer reycling see the bottom of the page.

Practical ways you can reduce, reuse and recycle

Reduce

• Buy products with minimal packaging and recycle any packaging where possible.
• Bulk-buy products with a long shelf-life.
• Avoid individually wrapped items.
• Choose the concentrated or refillable form of products like juices and cleaning products.
• Use a basket, backpack, box or reusable shopping bag instead of plastic bags. Keep them handy in the boot of your car.

Reuse

• Reuse your plastic bags and look for products that can be reused many times.
• Choose durable and reusable items rather than disposable ones.
• Carry your own water bottle or reuse water bottles.

Recycle

A good recycler both ensures they recycle goods and also considers what they buy and whether the products have recycling capabilities.

• Buy products made from recycled materials or with recyclable or reusable packaging. Plastic packaging that is marked code 1, 2 or 3 is commonly recycled in most municipalities; several councils now also accept codes 4-7 (check with your local council - see council services article below).
• Avoid packaging made of more than one material that can't be separated or put in your waste recycling bin, e.g. plastic laminate on paper.

Simply by being conscious of your shopping habits and by trying to be the best recycler you can be you can make a real difference to the environment and the future of our world. Begin today for a cleaner, healthier tomorrow.

Waste disposal and garbage recycling tips

• Discuss recycling with your family members or housemates to ensure everyone contributes
• Separate composting matter from other rubbish - consider the benefits of a compost bin or worm farming
• Recycle any packaging materials- separating packaging that can and cannot be recycled
• Seek advice when discarding large household items (e. g. use computer recycling facilities etc.) 
• Seek professional advice on chemical waste disposal