5 Rs for a Zero Waste Life

REFUSE

Our lives are full of too much stuff – appliances we never use, clothes we never wear, and toys our kids never play with – all of which will probably eventually end up in a landfill.

We need to start saying no. No to free stuff, junk mail, handouts and seemingly irresistible bargains. No to buying cheap plastic toys that you know will end up in the bin. To resist the temptation to buy things you don’t need just because they are on sale.

Say no to buying vegetables wrapped in plastic or other packaged foods. Look for more environmentally friendly ways to shop, such as farmers markets or buying in bulk at your local The Source Bulk Foods store.

When we start saying no, we start making conscious choices to live more sustainably and reduce unnecessary consumption.

REDUCE

Before buying something, ask yourself, do I really need it? Question your choices, if you aren’t sure about a purchase, put the item down and walk away. You can always come back later.

There are so many great questions you can ask yourself before buying something new. How many times will I actually use it? Could I borrow it from someone else, like a friend or a neighbour? Instead of buying that new top, why not hold a clothes swap and get rid of some of your overflowing wardrobe at the same time?

Like refuse, reduce is about cutting down your consumption and making more sustainable choices.

REUSE

We live in a disposable society. We’ve grown accustomed to using something once and then throwing it away. We’re better than this!

You can easily replace coffee cups, water bottles, tissues, nappies, plastic food wraps and razors with more sustainable choices. Remember, just say no.

Invest in a quality reusable coffee cup and keep it in your bag. Swap pre-packaged drinks for a reusable The Source Stainless Steel Water Bottle. Pack the kids’ lunches into a stainless steel Warrior Lunchbox with compartments so you don’t need to use plastic wrap. Swap tea bags for loose leaf tea, use hankies instead of tissues and invest in a reusable razor.

By reusing, you not only limit your waste but you also save yourself money.

REPURPOSE

This is where your creativity and imagination come into play! Also known as upcycling, repurposing is when you transform one object into an entirely new one. Using it for a new purpose other than its original intention. Upcycling can save you money, even make you money and, of course, save more stuff from going to landfill.

Release a new burst of life into old things. Turn an old pallet into a bed, empty old bottles and jars and use them to store food. Transform tin cans into pencil organisers, turn bottle caps into tea lights or make a rug out of old t-shirts. The possibilities are endless!

RECYCLE

This should be your last port of call. If you have completed all the above, there shouldn’t be much left to recycle. But for the stuff you do need to recycle, make sure you do it properly.

Sort out your household recyclables, paper, cardboard, plastic containers and glass and dispose of them in the right bin.

Other items, such as metal, wood, batteries and electronic waste, may not be allowed in your recycle bin. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be recycled. Check with your local council for collection points for these types of items.