Now, more than ever, we’re aware of how our lifestyles, our actions and even the products we buy can affect the planet we all share. We know that eating a diet that’s composed mostly of meat, fish, eggs and dairy products has a much greater carbon footprint than one that’s mostly (or entirely) plant-based. We know that if we carry on relying on single-use plastics at the same rate that there could be more plastic in our oceans than fish by 2050. Moreover, as well as thinking a little harder about the products we buy, we also need to have much more presence of mind when it comes to what we do with our waste.
When it comes to household waste, many of us have adopted an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude for a long time. But in this digitally enlightened age, we can no longer turn a blind eye to how our lifestyle affects the planet. Especially when there’s so much we can do to reverse the damage. But when it comes to reducing household waste, there are some things that we all need to remember…
You may need to rethink the way you shop
When it comes to the products you buy in the supermarket, you might need to get used to looking at packaging in different ways. You need to check to see if it can be recycled or composted. Even some products that look like their packaging should be recyclable (such as cardboard boxes) may be treated with plastics to make them water resistant and hence not recyclable. When it comes to plastics, sometimes even packaging manufacturers don’t know if their packaging is recyclable. This guide should explain how to check.
You may need a helping hand when it comes to managing your waste
There are some occasions where managing your waste effectively on your own can seem like an almost insurmountable challenge. Like when you’re carrying out household renovations, moving home, spring cleaning or rejuvenating your back garden.
But it’s important to remember that you don’t have to do it all on your own. A skip bin hire company, for instance, will be able to take large volumes of waste away and deal with them in an environmentally responsible manner far more effectively than you may be able to do on your own. It’s much less hassle, too!
It’s better to reduce, reuse and rot than recycle
There’s more to handling household waste responsibly than just recycling more. In fact, it’s much better for your carbon footprint if you avoid plastics and household waste altogether by refusing to buy packaged products (package-free shops are on the rise all over the world), reducing the amount you buy in general, reusing or repurposing products after they’re no longer useful. Like cutting up damaged clothes to make dish rags, for instance. Where possible, you should also compost your foot waste rather than throwing it into landfill.
Be reasonable and patient with yourself
Finally, it’s important to be patient and realistic with yourself. You’re not going to be able to go completely zero-waste overnight. And getting frustrated and demoralised will only make you more likely to give up altogether. Instead, try and focus on your successes and remembering that every active step to reduce your waste and lead by example is a net gain for the planet!
