Now, the ripples of environmental chatter have turned into a tidal wave. This year, 22 local councils in Australia and more than 600 worldwide have declared a climate emergency. And while we can look to governments and large organisations to create change, individuals can drive it, too. So I set myself a challenge – to slash my waste as much as possible for a month.
I’d already been using reusable bottles and coffee cups during my day job at Women's Health but what surprised me most over those 31 days was the amount of waste in other areas of my life, like the kitchen and in my beauty routine.
Challenge completed, I still haven’t totally nailed a waste-free existence (we’re all a work in progress, right?), but I’m a helluva lot closer.
In fact, two months after taking on the challenge, I decided to launch my company Banish, an online store offering eco products as well as info on how we can all reduce our waste and eco-footprint. Want to take it yourself? Of course, you do! Here are some of my fave ways to live more, with less.
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Wash smart
Show Nemo some love. Every time you put on a wash, tiny microplastics break off your clothes and enter our waterways. To reduce this (and extend the life of your tights), wash on low temps and a low spin cycle. Even better? Use a Guppyfriend washing bag ($45), which catches the microplastics before they can hit the sea. Well played.
Mend mindfully
Fix your clothing – even just getting nine more months out of that gym tee could help reduce carbon, water and waste footprints by 20- 30 per cent each, according to the Waste & Resources Action Programme. Love!
Go full circle
Savvy brands are now taking responsibility for their impact on the planet and getting in on the recycled-material game. Nimble Activewear’s Compresslite range is made from recycled plastic bottles. In the last year alone, they’ve helped save 300,000 of them from landfill. Sweet!
Bathroom
A plastic toothbrush < a bamboo toothbrush
A plastic razor < a metal safety razor
Bottles of shampoo and conditioner < shampoo bars
Tampons and pads < a menstrual cup or period underwear
Single-use make-up wipes < crochet wipes
Work
Green-over your commute
When possible, ditch your car in favour of walking or public transport. UberPool is great.
Recycle E-waste
Aka electronic waste – everything from your old iPod to broken hair straightener. According to War on Waste, Oz creates 700,000 tonnes of it every year. Drop-off your unwanted items at your local Officeworks or e-waste recycling centre. Genius!
Refuse or re-use
Keep your toolkit nearby and say no to single-use plastics.
Kitchen
Start composting
It’ll help reduce your household waste by 40 per cent, according to FoodWise. Don’t have space to start your own compost bin? Download the ShareWaste app, which connects you with neighbours who do.
Nix food waste
A fifth of food bought in Oz ends up in the bin, reports Love Food Hate Waste. That’s $3800 worth of groceries per household each year (or more than $70 weekly). Check your fridge before you shop and plan your meals for the week. I also love The Swag Bags ($72.95 for a starter pack) for keeping food fresg. The three-layer design helps things such as kale last for two weeks and carrots for a month.
Mind the packaging
Buy food in boxes rather than plastic, and avoid anything packing palm oil, which contributes to deforestation. Chips, chocolate and lollies often come wrapped in plastic, so head to a bulk-food shop for snacks (I love dark choc-covered goji berries) or make popcorn at home.
No-waste toolkit
✔ TOTE BAG ✔ SMALL MESH PRODUCE BAG ✔ REUSABLE BOTTLE
✔ REUSABLE COFFEE CUP ✔ BAMBOO OR STAINLESS- STEEL STRAW AND CUTLERY ✔ GLASS JAR FOR BITS AND PIECES, SUCH AS NUTS AND SNACKS
