Household waste refers to any waste that is produced during the day to day operations of a home. Did you know that we throw away 11.9 million tonnes of household waste per year? That’s a huge amount of waste going to landfill and lots of it can be prevented from ending up there.
All it takes is a few moments to think before you throw something away – can it be recycled? Could you repair it? If it’s food waste, could you compost it? There are 6 ways you can reduce your household waste and do your bit for the environment.
Consider how much household waste you produce
If you’re one of those people that throws things away without really thinking much about it, actually stop and work out how much you throw away. You might be able to identify ways to reduce the amount you dispose of, like recycling more. Check with your local council to find out what is and isn’t recyclable in your area.
Upcycle
Upcycling is the new fashion. It’s the process of taking something that’s worn out and using it for something else other than its original purpose. Why not use old t-shirts for cleaning? They make great rags for polishing. Another great idea is to use old toothbrushes for cleaning small places like in between tiles and washing machine drawers.
Buy less
It might seem daunting, but it’s possible to actually buy fewer things that are going to end up in landfill. It doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice buying the things you love, though – it could mean picking items with less packaging or buying in bulk. Make swaps to items you usually buy for recyclable alternatives, such as bamboo toothbrushes.
Start composting
Food scraps are a large part of household waste that needn’t go to landfill. Start composting at home to reduce your household waste. Once the food has decomposed, you can use it on your garden as it is rich in nutrients that are slow-released so plants can absorb them.
Buy good quality products
In a time when everyone is pinching the pennies, it seem more cost-effective to buy cheaper products. But in the long run, they won’t last as long as more expensive, quality products, so you could be better off buying them instead.
Repair and maintain
Instead of throwing something away the moment it breaks, consider repairing them instead. For example, have shoes re-heeled or re-soled instead of buying a new pair, and descale your kettle regularly instead of waiting for it to get clogged with limescale and fail.
There are plenty of ways to reduce your household waste without having to cut back on the things you love. Carry out these 6 steps and you’ll produce far less waste.