On a regular basis we buy items and products: a bottle of water or a sandwich, cup of coffee or magazine, groceries. Occassionally we buy bigger purchases such as a new television set, computer or washing machine. Every step of the way - from raw materials to manufacturing to the customer - involves waste.
But waste does not have to be wasted. By reusing, recycling and especially reducing the amount of rubbish we make, we can make a difference by using less of the worlds precious resources, reducing pollution (as there is less waste to get rid of) and using less energy (as fewer new things have to be made). "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" is an easy guide to cut down on rubbish. Using the "3R's" saves you money, reduces the amount of rubbish sent to landfill and also lowers carbon emissions.
Did you know that we threw away over 45,000 tonnes of rubbish to landfill last year. That means every Southlander disposed of 495 kilograms of rubbish.
The most efficient way to stop waste is not to make it. We reduce the amount of waste we create by buying few products and by purchasing products that last longer.
Do you have grandparents who save everything - from bits of string, tin foil, margarine tubs, to old hats? Chances are they lived through the Great Depression when nothing (and I mean nothing) was thrown out. Learn how they did it back in those days and why we need be doing it now.
Recycling saves resources and saving resources saves the world. Recycling turns waste materials into new products and reduces waste to landfill.
Recovery is the extraction of materials or energy from waste for further use or processing. The main areas for the recovery of resources are composting, converting landfill gas to energy, use of waste oil as a fuel and converting sewage sludge to a biomass.
Data is collected from every load of recycling and rubbish that is processed. We know how many people put their bins out, what the average weight of the bins are, how much rubbish is in the bins, and more.
Recycling saves resources and saving resources saves the world. But just how much are we recycling in Southland? Check out our progress as we aim to recycle 9,000 tonnes in 2012.
Learn the 12 rules for yellow recycling bins by learning the Dirty Dozen.
Choose to send e-cards (or phone) a family and friends this Christmas.
Broken Christmas decorations can be put in your red rubbish bin.