At the ‘most preferred’ end of the Waste Management Hierarchy we have ‘Avoidance’ – this means to strive to eliminate as much waste as possible at the source. It’s all about thinking before we make our purchases and really considering our needs versus our wants. Below are 10 tips on how you can ‘avoid’ or reduce waste at home and at work:
1. Buy only what you need – before you make a purchase really think about whether you actually ‘need’ it or just ‘want’ it. Going through this thought process may save you some money too.
2. Buy good quality products – you may have heard of the saying ‘poor man pays twice’? No one wants to do that and by purchasing higher quality products less often rather than cheap, disposable products over again it is much better for the environment and your pocket.
For items such as electronics and white wares do your research and look at the product that has the greater life expectancy. Check out the Energy Rating app to help you with your purchase decision.
3. Avoid products with excessive packaging – when you get home and start using the item all of this packaging will end up being disposed of anyway.
4. Buy in bulk or larger containers –these use less packaging (and therefore less waste) and will also save you some cash.
5. Say no to plastic bags! Remember to take your reusable bags out with you to the supermarket and if you don’t need a bag in other situations just say no.
6. Stop buying plastic water bottles – these are a huge waste of energy and resources. Instead, invest in a good quality water bottle that you can carry around with you and refill for free!
7. Say no to disposable coffee cups! If you have been following our posts, you’ll know that this is an issue close to our hearts at KS Environmental. With an estimated 1 million disposable coffee cups ending up in landfill worldwide per minute, this is a big problem.
To avoid coffee cup waste, have your daily fix in the café or take along a reusable coffee cup.
8. Consider setting up a food waste recycling programme into your office. Setting up a caddy to collect scraps in your kitchen areas will avoid compostable items ending up in landfill.
9. Similarly, at home, a compost or worm farm is a great idea to deal with your food waste efficiently.
10. To further avoid food waste at home, plan your meals and check out more tips on food waste here.
For further advice on how you may be able to avoid and reduce waste in your workplace please contact us.