How to avoid waste
Avoiding waste is simple – just re-use the item instead of throwing it away!
Whether you re-use it yourself or give it away for re-use, you’ll be keeping things out of landfill. Also, because one less new item will be bought, you’ll help reduce demand on water, energy and raw materials.
Did you know?
Australians produce one of the largest amounts of waste per capita in the world, coming in only behind the USA and Canada.
Donate items for re-use
Do your bit to avoid waste by donating unwanted items to the following organisations next time you have a spring clean.
Bower reuse and repair
co-op
The Bower collects unwanted goods and resells them to the
community. It is also a repair and reuse centre and if they can't accept your
items they help you find someone who might:
Cartridges 4 Planet
Ark
Recycle your old printer, ink and laser cartridges for
re-manufacturing and to help produce new things like, fridges and pens.
Ozrecycle
Give
things you don’t away to a good home. Simply post your goods online and the
happy recipient will usually come and pick them up.
Reverse
Garbage
A not-for-profit cooperative that sells industrial
discards to the public for creative and practical projects.
St Vincent de
Paul
Families in need are given household items, clothes and
toys while surplus items are sold at Vinnie's shops and centres. You can even
donate torn, stained and damaged clothes; these are recycled and sold to
companies as cleaning rags.
The Smith
Family
The Smith Family will find a new home for your clean and
wearable unwanted clothing and accessories. Individuals or business can donate
in NSW by calling 1300 737 166.
The Salvation Army
Stores
The Salvos can reuse materials that are too good to throw
out.
Ziilch
Give away items you no longer want but are too good to throw out. It's free to join, free to list and take an item and easy to use.
Sell items for re-use
Make some cash from your trash by advertising your unwanted goods on an online auction site (like Ebay, Gumtree or Scoodi), in your local community newspapers or on community noticeboards.
You could also hold a garage sale or have a stall at your local markets.
Buy and swap re-use items
Get your shopping fix and help the environment at the same time by visiting
the stores and websites above and also consider swapping goods.
Swap Parties
Swapping is the new shopping! Get along to a
local swap party, bring along something you don't want and swap it for something
you do.
The City of Sydney holds swap parties as a way to encourage the community and staff to reuse more. You can also check out Planet Ark's guide and hold your own swap party.
More ways to avoid waste
The ideas below will help reduce waste to landfill and/or manufacturing and transport costs.
- Hire or borrow things you use occasionally like tools and equipment
- Borrow books, videos, DVDs and toys from your nearest library
- Buy music online and download it to avoid CD packaging
- When buying presents, choose 'experience' or service gifts (like a massage or beauty treatment to avoid unwanted gifts
- If you’re thinking about getting a car, consider car share/hire
- Fix up your old bike (tools and parts available) or buy a reconditioned abandoned bike at The Nunnery Bike Workshop (1 Phillip St, Waterloo). See www.bikeclub.wordpress.com
- Say goodbye to junk mail by picking up a FREE "No Advertising Material" sticker for your letterbox at one of our Neighbourhood Service Centres
- "No Advertising Material" stickers can also be ordered from the Distribution Standards Board on 1800 676 136
- Register to STOP receiving White or Yellow Pages by calling Sensis on 1800 810 211
- Register your name on the Australian Direct Marketing Association’s Do Not Mail Service to stop contact from ADMA members
- Get rid of your second fridge through Fridge Buyback.
- Dispose of out-of-date medicines safely – visit any pharmacy or Return Unwanted Medicines.
Downloads
- Waste Services FAQs | PDF 168Kb
- A to Z Recycling Guide | PDF 200Kb
Related links
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Last Updated: Thursday 4 August, 2011
