Ditch your red bin and reduce garbage with these expert tips
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We love the convenience of modern life, but when it comes to the amount of waste we produce, perhaps we should be a little more mindful.
Belinda Chellingworth, an expert in garbage reduction, stopped using her general rubbish bin six years ago and now throws away only a kilogram or so of rubbish every few months!
She's been following a few 'green' practices since the early 2000s, and because of her experience, she has some amazing advice on how to drastically reduce your waste, too.
Belinda noted that it wasn't an overnight process, so don't worry if you don't see instant results. However, she pointed out that you can make an impact by taking small steps and starting with one manageable change. You could be well on your way to a more eco-friendly and waste-free lifestyle in no time!
For Belinda, it was all about starting small: replacing plastic food bags with reusable bags.
'The key to it is to just pick one thing,' she explained.
'Don't try and change five or fifteen things at once because it's too much to do all at once. You pick one thing, knock it off, and it becomes like an addiction or little game.'
'It's tangible; you can see the change in your own bin. Some people keep a photo diary of their bins to remind them of the things they don't throw out anymore,' she said.
Well, there’s advice on plastic food bags—how about food?
Belinda noted that it all comes down to meal planning when it comes to reducing food waste. Plan out your meals in advance and only buy what you need. Not only does this reduce packaging, but it could also help you save money in the long run.
Of course, waste reduction extends to fashion, too. Try to find clothing in colours that suit you so that you're happy with your existing wardrobe.
On top of that, if you're attending a fancy dress event or occasion where you'd only wear something once, clothing hire services are now available to ensure that your one-time outfits don't end up in landfills.
'There's also a lot of clothing swaps. Otherwise, before you go to the shops, have a list rather than buying what you see,' she added.
Regarding more usual and everyday items, there are hundreds of different recycling and donation programs designed to help Aussies reduce the amount of garbage they produce. Look into what's available in your area and make use of it.
For instance, if you have a one-off need for tools or toys, you can rent them from a local library. On top of these services, there are local stores where you can donate materials like bubble wrap to a framing shop or plastic plant pots to a nursery.
Finally, Belinda reminded us not to get overwhelmed by it all.
'If you feel like it's all too hard and you can't get anything done… Anyone can pick up some litter,' she said.
'If you want to feel good about waste, that's always my advice.'
Members, we're excited to see how much your waste output decreases with these tips! As always, we wish you the best in your efforts.
Do you have more to add to the list? Feel free to share them in the comments below.
Belinda Chellingworth, an expert in garbage reduction, stopped using her general rubbish bin six years ago and now throws away only a kilogram or so of rubbish every few months!
She's been following a few 'green' practices since the early 2000s, and because of her experience, she has some amazing advice on how to drastically reduce your waste, too.
Belinda noted that it wasn't an overnight process, so don't worry if you don't see instant results. However, she pointed out that you can make an impact by taking small steps and starting with one manageable change. You could be well on your way to a more eco-friendly and waste-free lifestyle in no time!
A professional garbage expert who hasn't used her red-lid bin in years shared her top tips on how Aussies can cut down on their waste. Credit: Shutterstock.
For Belinda, it was all about starting small: replacing plastic food bags with reusable bags.
'The key to it is to just pick one thing,' she explained.
'Don't try and change five or fifteen things at once because it's too much to do all at once. You pick one thing, knock it off, and it becomes like an addiction or little game.'
'It's tangible; you can see the change in your own bin. Some people keep a photo diary of their bins to remind them of the things they don't throw out anymore,' she said.
Well, there’s advice on plastic food bags—how about food?
Belinda noted that it all comes down to meal planning when it comes to reducing food waste. Plan out your meals in advance and only buy what you need. Not only does this reduce packaging, but it could also help you save money in the long run.
Of course, waste reduction extends to fashion, too. Try to find clothing in colours that suit you so that you're happy with your existing wardrobe.
On top of that, if you're attending a fancy dress event or occasion where you'd only wear something once, clothing hire services are now available to ensure that your one-time outfits don't end up in landfills.
'There's also a lot of clothing swaps. Otherwise, before you go to the shops, have a list rather than buying what you see,' she added.
Regarding more usual and everyday items, there are hundreds of different recycling and donation programs designed to help Aussies reduce the amount of garbage they produce. Look into what's available in your area and make use of it.
For instance, if you have a one-off need for tools or toys, you can rent them from a local library. On top of these services, there are local stores where you can donate materials like bubble wrap to a framing shop or plastic plant pots to a nursery.
Finally, Belinda reminded us not to get overwhelmed by it all.
'If you feel like it's all too hard and you can't get anything done… Anyone can pick up some litter,' she said.
'If you want to feel good about waste, that's always my advice.'
Members, we're excited to see how much your waste output decreases with these tips! As always, we wish you the best in your efforts.
Do you have more to add to the list? Feel free to share them in the comments below.
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