Tips to reduce waste
Everyday choices can make a big difference. By reducing what we buy, reusing what we can and recycling correctly, we can all help reduce waste sent to landfill and create a more sustainable community.
Refuse
Say no to waste before it starts.
- Choose reusable alternatives to single-use items such as shopping bags, produce bags, coffee cups, drink bottles, lunch containers and straws.
- Avoid products with excessive packaging.
- Buy in bulk where practical.
- Place a 'No Junk Mail' sticker on your letterbox.
- Take your own reusable coffee cup (many cafés offer a discount).
- Consider reusable coffee pods or refillable capsules.
- Choose reusable products such as rechargeable batteries and modern cloth nappies.
Reduce
Buy only what you need and make the most of what you already have.
- Plan meals to reduce food waste.
- Store food correctly and use leftovers creatively.
- Use Foodwise Recipe Finder or Saveful to use ingredients you already have.
- Buy quality products that last longer.
- Ask retailers to take away and recycle packaging when purchasing large items.
- Make your own environmentally friendly cleaning products.
- Choose a Sustainable Salon.
Reuse
Give items a second life instead of throwing them away.
- Donate clothing, furniture and household goods to charities and op shops.
- Reuse gift bags, wrapping paper and packaging.
- Repair broken items before replacing them.
- Visit your local Repair Café.
- Borrow instead of buying through the Tool Library, Library of Things and Toy Library.
- Offer unwanted items to family, friends or neighbours.
- Use Buy Nothing groups, Freecycle and community noticeboards.
- Place unwanted items on your property with a sign offering them for free.
Note: placing the items outside your property without a hard waste booking is illegal and may incur a fine - Share a hard waste booking with a neighbour.
- Donate old towels and blankets to animal shelters.
Dispose responsibly
When an item can't be reused or repaired, dispose of it correctly.
- Never leave unwanted items on the kerb unless you've booked a hard waste collection.
- Check whether an item can be repaired, reused, recycled or donated before throwing it away.
- Use the Which Bin tool if you're unsure where something belongs.
- If an item is still usable, explore reuse options before it becomes damaged by the weather.
Learn more
There are many ways to reduce waste, and every small action helps. Check out these great resources for ideas:
By making mindful choices, we can all contribute to a cleaner, greener Campbelltown. Share your ideas with us via mail@campbelltown.sa.gov.au.