Waste management entails all stages of waste control, from the moment it is created up to the time it is disposed of. Waste management is vital because it protects the environment from harmful pollutants and helps maintain its aesthetic appearance. It protects public health and safety as well.
The country generates 67 million tonnes of waste a year, and the figure is rising. Needless to say, this enormous amount of waste is a huge problem, especially since China has put import restrictions into effect and Australia is among the many countries that has been affected by them.
One way to alleviate the country’s waste problem is to manage household waste. The collective effort of every household can make a big difference and may even drastically reduce the amount of waste produced every year.
Waste Minimisation: the simplest step
The simplest step in waste management is to avoid making rubbish in the first place. There are several ways to do it, and here are some of them:
- Buy just the amount of food that you and your family can consume. It prevents food wastage, and you also save money this way. Shun unnecessary purchases.
- As possible, always go for products that are packaged minimally.
- Limit, or better yet stop, the use of disposable items and single-use products and opt for ones that can be used again.
- Cancel unnecessary mail, and if you can, choose paperless billing.
- Get rid of plastic bags and use jute or cotton tote bags instead. They are not just more environment-friendly than plastic bags; they are sturdier and a lot prettier, too!
The 3R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
The three R’s are recognised as an integral part of waste management, and for obvious reasons. To reduce means to avoid the possibility of generating more waste products wherever possible. It has mostly been described in the first item above. To reuse means to find a way to use something again instead of throwing it away. There are lots of things that can be reused. If you believe you’ll not need an item again, and it’s still in good shape, you might want to consider donating it. To recycle means to convert junk into something that can be used or sold.
In the 2018 report of Department of the Environment and Energy, more than 50% of Australia’s waste that ends in landfill is recyclable. A bit more effort from everybody could help reduce the vast amount of waste that ends up in landfills every year. If you cannot recycle, you can always bring your recyclables to collection facilities that are designated to receive specific recyclable materials instead.
Waste Segregation
It is always a good idea to segregate your rubbish. Have separate containers for wet and dry kitchen rubbish. Organise a particular container for paper rubbish; rinse plastic bottles and containers free of food and store them in another container. This way, they will be easier to recycle.
Composting
What do you do with food leftovers and other food scraps? You know you cannot toss it in your skip bin. Don’t worry, because there is an easy way to get rid of them that is highly beneficial to soil – composting. Composting makes the soil nutrient-rich and fertile, which improves the growth of plants. A basic compost pile is comprised of food scraps, yard cuttings, papers, paper, cardboard, and even sawdust.
Let Us Be Your Partner in Waste Management
We at Lake Macquarie Skips understand the growing concern for waste management, and we would like to share the collaborative effort with you in this regard. We have a highly effective system of waste collection and disposal, and you can be sure that you rubbish is managed not only effectively but also responsibly. Contact us today!
