Hacks
Hacks?
The Waste Hierarchy: Your Guide to a Greener Lifestyle
We all create waste, but how we manage it matters. Think of waste like an upside down pyramid – the most eco-friendly actions are at the top, and we should try to implement those first.
- Prevent:
The most effective way to tackle waste is to avoid creating it in the first place.
For example:
- Reduce your single use items and replace them with multi-use to reduce plastic waste
- Opt for digital bills and statements to reduce paper waste.
- Buy products which are packaged in paper instead of plastic
- Opt for reusable food wraps instead of plastic cling wrap.
- Use reusable cloth napkins instead of paper napkins
- Bring your own containers to restaurants for leftovers or to grocery stores for bulk items
- Avoid impulse purchases to reduce the likelihood of buying things you don’t need
- Reduce:
If you can’t prevent waste, try to minimise the amount you generate.For example:
- Choose products with minimal packaging or eco-friendly packaging.
- Make or buy concentrated or refillable cleaning products to reduce plastic bottle waste.
- Borrow or rent items you need infrequently instead of buying them.
- Switch to soap and shampoo bars to minimise plastic bottle waste
- Buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste
- Use a razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors
- Compost food scraps to reduce landfill waste and create nutrient-rich soil
- Reuse:
Extend the lifespan of items by finding new purposes for them. For example:
- Repurpose glass jars as storage containers or candle holders.
- Turn old fabric items such as t-shirts, bed sheets or towels into cleaning rags, shopping bags or pet bedding.
- Donate clothes, books, and toys you no longer use.
- Use empty egg cartons to start seedlings or organise small items
- Turn wine bottles into vases or candle holders
- Upcycle:
Get creative and transform unwanted items into something new and valuable. For example:
- Turn an old ladder into a bookshelf.
- Create planters from used tires.
- Make a bird feeder from a plastic bottle.
- Transform old jeans into a denim quilt or tote bag
- Create a mosaic from broken tiles or dishes
- Make a coffee table from wooden pallets
- Turn an old picture frame into a serving tray or jewellery organiser
- Make a plant pot out of an old can
- Recycle:
When an item can no longer be reused or upcycled, ensure it’s properly recycled. For example:
- Familiarise yourself with your local recycling guidelines.
- Rinse food containers before recycling them.
- Flatten cardboard boxes to save space in your recycling bin.
- Recycle old batteries at designated drop-off locations
- Recycle electronics at e-waste recycling centres
- Repair:
Don’t discard items at the first sign of damage; try to fix them. For example:
- Learn basic sewing skills to mend clothes at the Sewing Help Desk
- Find YouTube videos on how to fix stuff
- Visit Slough Repair Café to learn repair skills and connect with others
- Dispose:
- If you aren’t able to do any of the above with an item, then the final resort is to correctly dispose of it following your local councils disposal guidelines for the item
- Avoid fly tipping or disposing of items on the street or at public refuse bins as this creates litter issues across our communities
- There are companies that will come and collect larger items for a small fee or sometimes Free of charge.
Remember, the most sustainable choices are the ones that prevent waste in the first place. By adopting these practices and thinking creatively, we can all contribute to a greener and less wasteful world. Be the change you want to see in Slough
