Waste

Australians produce 1 tonne of waste per person each year (WSN, 2007), compared to 200kg per person each year in developing countries (Teach Sustainability, 2007).

What Do Our Bins Contain?

Refer the participants to the handout for details of the composition of our waste. Green waste Other organics Paper Plastics 46% 4% 25% 10%
(CRC 1.2, 2007)

Glass Metal Other

7% 4% 4%

Refuse: Do you need it in the first place? A good example of an item that is easily refused is a plastic bag when shopping. Reduce: Do you need to buy that much? Up to a quarter of the food which Australians purchase ends up as waste. Reuse: Can this item be reused? Plastic containers and bottles are useful for many things for example. But how many do you really need Recycle: Can the item be recycled? If you cant refuse, reduce or reuse an item, you might be able to recycle it.

Life Cycle Analysis

material extraction manufacture packaging distribution product use end of life

The Watershed
Supporting Sustainable Environments

Last updated 27/02/2008

Waste Reduction Toolkit

Divert Organic Waste by composting or wormfarming. Buy second-hand, there is a wide variety of pre-loved items available at charity stores, online, at garage sales and in the paper. Give or sell your used items rather than throwing them away. Rent or borrow items rather than buy new ones. Avoid retail therapy, think of alternate ways to spend your time and money. Avoid packaged goods which contribute to excessive waste. Buy durable items which last longer, avoiding purchase of replacement items.

Further References
The Watershed Sustainability Resource Centre, 218 King Street Newtown 95196366 Planetark, for what can be recycled in your area, www.recyclingnearyou.com.au Cleanout, to find out how to dispose of household chemicals sensitively, www.cleanout.com.au Freecycle, to give away or receive items for free www.freecycle.org Waste Services NSW for a variety of waste information www.wasteservice.nsw.gov.au Department of Environment & Climate Change, for a wide range of resources on sustainability issues www.environment.nsw.gov.au Australian Conservation Foundation, Greenhome, sustainable living information www.acfonline.org.au/greenhome Ethical Consumer Group website www.ethical.org.au Your Home, sustainable home design and hardware tips www.yourhome.com.au

The Watershed
Supporting Sustainable Environments

Last updated 27/02/2008