Sustainable Living
Saving money and the world at the same time
Change the World
Sustainability is defined as 'meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs'. It looks to our children and grandchilren, considering how our actions today, will impact them in the future.
Living sustainably means living smarter, and living smarter is about reducing our impact on the environment and saving money without compromising our lifestyle. Actions like reducing our rubbish, recycling all that we can, switching off the lights when leaving a room, walking to work and installing insulation, help us to live in 'balance' with our environment (rather than against it).
10 Simple Waste Actions to Help Change the World
Here are the 10 easy waste actions to help you reduce your waste, save you money and help the environment:
1. | Reduce your RubbishReduce your rubbish, by being careful about what you buy. Buy products that are packaging in recyclable materials i.e. tin, paper, cardboard, glass. |
2. | Declare independence from Junk MailAvoid as much as one third of a tree annually, of unwanted paper from reaching your mailbox. Place a 'No Junk Mail' sign on your mailbox and say goodbye to the junk. |
3. | Start CompostingStart composting vegetable peelings, leaves and grass clippings and/or use a worm bin or Bokashi buckets for food scraps. |
4. | BYOBBring your own bag (BYOB), when you go shopping and cut out the plastic bags. For example, an alternative to buying individual pottles of yoghurt, is buying a 1-litre tub of yoghurt and place servings into reusable containers. The 1-litre tub can be reused as a storage container or maybe accepted in your area's recycling scheme. |
5. | Be a MugBe a mug, take your own 'bigger' mug when you go out for coffee and say no to disposable coffee cups. |
6. | Shop WiselyShop wisely, plan ahead and make a shopping list and only buy what you need. |
7. | Recycle More, Waste LessFind out what materials can be recycled in your area by contacting your local Council. |
8. | Pause before you throwThe next time you go to put something in the bin, stop and let your imagination run wild as you think of ways to reuse the product. |
9. | Say Yes to Nude FoodThere's no need to wrap your lunch in clean-fill (gladwrap), pack you lunch in reusable, re-sealable bags or containers. Wash them out and use them tomorrow. |
10. | Talk to Your FriendsTalk to your friends and challenge them to do the same, as small actions can make a difference. |
What more can I do?
There are many simple things you can do to reduce rubbish at home, at work or at school:
- Discover the secrets of getting more life out of your rubbish
- Scroll through the Bite Library of Waste Tips
- Make your own 'Black Gold'
- 13 secrets to Greening your Lunch
