It’s no secret that household waste is becoming a major issue for the environment. Landfill sites are not only unsightly; they also impact on the environment in many different ways.
From leakage into the local water table, from the smell and effect on wildlife – household waste is something that needs to be managed effectively and reduced significantly in the coming years. Thankfully, this is one area of the environment that we ‘every day folk’ can have quite a positive impact on. By changing a few of our daily habits, we can significantly reduce the amount of household waste we produce.
If you’re wondering why you should bother, just take a quick look at the picture below and it should be fairly obvious. To try and help you on your way, we’ve provided some simple things you can do which with very little effort, could make a big difference.
Monitor
The first thing you should do when trying to reduce your wastage is to try and monitor the amount you produce. After all, it’s hard to improve something without having an idea of the problem at hand. By understanding how much waste you currently produce, you can then set yourself achievable goals such as reducing your waste by 30%. The best way to do this is to keep a record over a period of a month. This simple record can then be referred back to in order to monitor your progress.
Make Some Cash
As everyone knows, recent years have seen a huge global pinch in finances. Many families have been hit by tough times, and making a bit of extra cash wherever possible can make all the difference.
From unwanted appliances to old furniture, so many household items that get thrown can often be sold, even if it’s for a small amount. Other families are struggling too, so why not help them out by offering them your unwanted stuff at a heavily discounted price.
By doing this you’ll be cutting down on waste, giving someone a real bargain, and hopefully making enough for a takeaway or family meal; everyone’s a winner!
Buy Less
It’s a sad fact of the modern world that many products that are purchased simply don’t end up getting used, especially in the food sector. If you find yourself throwing away spare food, or not using up what you buy then it seems pretty obvious to reduce the amount you purchase. Not only will you be reducing your household waste, you’ll also be reducing your shopping bills.
In fact, that’s one of the best things about waste reduction; it’s great for the environment AND it saves you money!
Can you Fix it?
Rewind the clock by 40 years and you’d be living in a world where items were fixed rather than replaced. Nowadays it’s second nature to go out and buy a replacement before you’ve even considered making a repair.
If everyone made the effort to repair their broken items, waste would be reduced and a huge amount of money would be saved. Next time something in the home breaks, why not try and fix it?
As you can see from the above, a little bit of extra effort could make a very positive impact on the environment and save you some serious cash at the same time. Why not take a look at the waste your home produces and see what you could save?
