Brief overview of the importance of reducing waste and improving rubbish collection in Perth
You may not think you have anything to worry about when it comes to waste, as your rubbish bins are regularly emptied by the council and they don’t usually cause any inconveniences. But if you’re like most people, there’s probably too much of a good thing. Every year, the amount of rubbish produced in Perth increases and there is more pressure on our landfills. Not only that but some recyclable materials are left in landfill instead of being sorted correctly, which has a negative impact on both landfill operations and the environment.
Tip #1: Invest in a compost bin
Composting is an excellent way of reducing the amount of rubbish you produce, by creating a method of using organic waste to produce a valuable fertilizer. Not only can you make your own compost for free, but it’s also a great way to help the environment and reduce your carbon footprint. There are two main types of compost bins – the tumbler and the worm farm. The tumbler is a round container that rotates to mix up the contents, which speeds up the composting process. The worm farm is a series of small bins that contain special worms that eat your waste and turn it into rich soil. This method takes a little longer but only requires some maintenance occasionally to replace the part-used bins with fresh ones.
To use a compost bin effectively , you ideally want the waste to be a uniform size, so that it can be quickly turned. You also need to keep an eye on your compost by testing the moisture and dirt levels regularly to make sure it stays healthy. Worm farms are a little more forgiving and will happily eat incorrect waste, but they do take longer to compost than tumblers.
Tip #2: Use reusable bags and containers
Reusable bags and containers are a great way to reduce the amount of plastic waste you produce and also reduce the amount of rubbish that goes to landfill. It’s another way to make your own compost, so you can also save money by buying them in bulk.
To use reusable bags and containers, line them with newspaper or biodegradable paper and put the waste inside. Then either put in your tumbler or use a worm farm bin (if you have one).
Tip #3: Recycle plastic containers
Plastic containers are often the most problematic waste to deal with, as they are sometimes hard to get rid of. What difference does it make if you put them in the ‘plastic’ or ‘glass’ bin? Don’t worry, neither are being recycled, so either way you’re wasting your time and harming the environment. The plastic is usually taken to landfill while the glass gets thrown into landfill or used as fill.
It’s really important to recycle plastic containers correctly so they don’t end up in landfill. Your household can play a huge part in helping to reduce the amount of waste by recycling the correct waste at home. You can help by making sure any plastic containers are washed and dried thoroughly before being taken to the recycling centre, so they can be melted down and used again eventually.
How to remember to bring reusable bags and containers when shopping or dining out? When you’re going out shopping or dining at a restaurant, make sure you take a reusable bag and container in your car. Then if you buy any food, you can use it to store the leftovers. This way, you won’t have to throw away as much waste and save money by not buying food that goes off before it’s used up.
Tip #4: Recycle properly
Okay, so it’s not possible to recycle all of your waste, but you can recycle some of it. Recycling is a great way to reduce the amount of landfill and help reduce the amount of carbon dioxide produced by manufacturing new products. It can really make a difference, provided that you separate your rubbish correctly.
To recycle properly; make sure you place all recyclable waste in your yellow recycling bin and none of it in your red rubbish bin. Make sure you wash all bottles and containers before putting them in the recycling bin, as unclean containers can contaminate the whole load. Also, make sure you rinse out any tupperware or takeaway bags before putting them in your recycling bin, because if they’re left dirty they will contaminate the whole load.
What are the different types of materials that can be recycled in Perth? Glass – Rinse out any bottles or jars and place in your yellow recycling bin.
Metal – You can recycle cans, tins and aluminum foil. Simply rinse the metal out before putting it in the recycling bin.
Plastic – There are two different types of plastics, so make sure you put them in the right place! You can recycle all plastic containers (including household items) by rinsing out any excess food or liquids and putting them in a recycling bin. The other plastic waste, such as plastic bottles, should be placed into your blue plastic refuse bin.
Cardboard – collapse any cardboard and any non-cardboard (such as paperboards or cardboard boxes) before putting them in your yellow recycling bin. If your bin is overflowing, you can place cardboard and paper directly into your blue rubbish bin.
Tip #5: Use a reusable mug or water bottle
It’s not just plastic bottles that are harmful to the environment, so keep an eye out for other things you can use instead of disposables. Reusable mugs and bottles are useful for reducing the amount of waste you produce and also saving money because reusable items are cheaper than disposable ones.
To use a reusable mug or bottle, simply take it with you wherever you go.
Tip #6: Donate or sell items instead of throwing them away
If you can’t use it, don’t throw it! You can either donate the item to a charity or sell it cheaply.
Donating or selling gently used items can help to reduce waste and benefit the community in several ways:
Reducing waste: When items are donated or sold instead of thrown away, they have a chance to be used again and have a longer lifespan, rather than ending up in a landfill where they will take up space and potentially release harmful chemicals into the environment.
Helping those in need: Donating gently used items to charities or non-profit organizations can provide much-needed resources for those in need. For example, donating clothing to a shelter can help to provide warm, comfortable clothing for people experiencing homelessness.
Supporting the local economy: Selling gently used items through local thrift stores or online marketplaces can help to support the local economy by providing opportunities for people to buy and sell items within the community.
Reducing the need for new resources: When people donate or sell gently used items instead of buying new ones, it reduces the demand for new resources to be used to produce new items. This can help to reduce environmental impacts such as deforestation and pollution caused by manufacturing processes.
Overall, donating or selling gently used items can have a positive impact on the environment and the community by reducing waste, helping those in need, supporting the local economy, and reducing the need for new resources.
You can also donate items that would normally go in the bin. If you have clothes, books and other items that can be re-sold cheaply, you can sell them on gumtree or ebay. You can also donate them to one of the many charitable organisations that run op-shops in Perth.
Contact details for local charity organisations: Salvation Army – https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/donate/
Waste of food:
Why waste the food that goes off before you eat it? The majority of food waste in Western Australia is from fruit and vegetables that are normally left over from the day before. This is primarily due to a lack of storage space at home, but also because people aren’t prepared to cook leftovers.
To avoid wasting food, make sure you have a good amount of free food storage. This would also be beneficial for general health, as storing food will help prevent rotting. If you’ve got a fridge, you can store your leftover meals at home and then take them to work with you. For example if it’s lunchtime and the rest of your workmates have finished lunch.
Tip #7: Consider a rubbish collection service that offers recycling and composting options
There are a few rubbish collection services available in Perth. Most of these services allow you to put recyclable items into your rubbish bin and compostable items into the compost bin. Some will even recycle all of your waste for you, so you’ll end up saving time and money by doing it yourself.
Tip #8: Buy environment-friendly products
There are many products that might surprise you with their eco-friendly nature. When you’re buying items such as mattresses, flooring, tiles and light bulbs, look for the EcoMark label to help you identify products that have been assessed as environmentally friendly by EcoLogo.
Conclusion
Reducing waste: When items are donated or sold instead of thrown away, they have a chance to be used again and have a longer lifespan, rather than ending up in a landfill where they will take up space and potentially release harmful chemicals into the environment.
Helping those in need: Donating gently used items to charities or non-profit organizations can provide much-needed resources for those in need. For example, donating clothing to a shelter can help to provide warm, comfortable clothing for people experiencing homelessness.
Supporting the local economy: Selling gently used items through local thrift stores or online marketplaces can help to support the local economy by providing opportunities for people to buy and sell items within the community.
Reducing the need for new resources: When people donate or sell gently used items instead of buying new ones, it reduces the demand for new resources to be used to produce new items. This can help to reduce environmental impacts such as deforestation and pollution caused by manufacturing processes.
We hope you find our tips for reducing waste in Perth helpful. We suggest you implement some of these tips in your life to make a positive impact not only on the environment and community, but also on yourself.
We would like to stress that the information on this website is intended as a guide only. Please consult the relevant authority if you need any more information.
