Become a Savvy Shopper
Reduce your rubbish by being careful about what you buy
Smart Shopping
The simplest way to tackle the problem of rubbish is to reduce the amount that we create in the first place by shopping smart.
Every year 4 million New Zealanders use 1 billion plastic shopping bags, which can end up in our landfills or as windlbown litter. To reduce the number of plastic bags we use, bring your own bag with you when you are shopping.
Shopping wisely isn't just about reducing the plastic bags we consume, it is also about:
- Buying products made from recycled materials
- Reducing our need to buy new products
- Donating items to those in need
By shopping wisely and saying no to unnecessary waste before it reaches our homes, you will be helping to reduce your rubbish.
The 6 Easy Steps to Smart Shopping
Here are the 6 easy steps to smart shopping, these tips will help you reduce your waste, save you money and help the environment:
1. | Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB)Buy a bag for "life" from your local supermarket or use a reusable bag for shopping to help cut down on the plastic bags we all bring home every year. |
2. | Buy RecycledLook for products made or packaged in recyclable materials and buy them whenyou can. For example, select the breakfast cereal packaged in a cardboard box, as opposed to the cereal in a plastic bag. To find out what materials can be recycled in your area contact your local Council. |
3. | Buy Products with Less PackagingConcentrates and refills are a great way to reduce uneccessary packaging. Tip - Purchasing concentrates and reills will save you money too! |
4. | Buy in BulkBuy in bulk and redistribute into reusable containers. By purchasing items in bulk you will not only reduce waste but save money too. 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. | Make a shopping listBy making a list (and sticking to it) you only buy what you need - which means you save on the packaging and on the wallet. Tip - When you can, do your grocery shopping after a meal, this will further reduce your temptation to get extra items. |
6. | Buy Long Life ProductsPurchase reusable, refillable, repairable products as alternatives to disposable ones i.e. razors, pens, plates and cups. |
What more can I do?
There are many simple things you can do to reduce rubbish at home, at work or at school:
- Scroll through the Bite Library of Waste Tips
- Pause before you throw the next time you put something in the bin
- Learn how to shop wisley, reduce waste and save money
- Recycle More and Waste Less
