Reuse it or Lose it

Children pouring food waste from lunch box into compost bin

A small change can make a huge difference to our environment. Here are some simple things we can all do:

Rethink

Be mindful of your actions and ask yourself if you could be doing something more sustainable.

  • Walk, cycle or use public transport instead of using a car
  • Grow your own herbs, fruit and vegetables
  • Purchase your food locally
  • Put on warm clothes or use a blanket instead of using a heater
  • Open windows to allow a breeze in instead of turning on an air conditioner
  • Hang your clothes out on the washing line instead of using a dryer
  • Install solar panels instead of relying on electricity from fossil fuels
  • Install a rainwater tank to save water

Refuse

Don't buy or accept things you don't need.

  • Say no to plastic bags
  • Say no to straws and disposable cutlery
  • Say no to freebies such as promotional items
  • Don't buy items with excessive packaging
  • Don't buy cheaply made items that won't last long
  • Try to buy products with natural ingredients instead of products containing chemicals
  • Put a 'No Junk Mail' sign on your mailbox
  • Opt to receive your correspondence and bills via email instead of via post

Reduce

Use less energy and consume less materials to conserve resources.

  • Make a shopping list and buy only what you need instead of what you want on impulse
  • Create meal plans for the week to avoid wasting food
  • Be aware of portion sizes and only cook enough for your needs
  • Install energy-efficient appliances
  • Turn electrical appliances off at the wall when not in use
  • Turn lights off when you leave the room
  • Turn the taps off when you have finished
  • Fix leaking taps

Reuse

Instead of buying single-use disposable products, buy products that can be reused over and over again.

  • Use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags
  • Use refillable coffee cups instead of take away coffee cups
  • Use refillable water bottles instead of plastic bottles
  • Use reusable lunchboxes instead of buying your lunch each day
  • Use tea towels and cloths instead of paper towels
  • Use rechargeable batteries instead of single-use batteries
  • Use cloth nappies instead of disposable nappies
  • Use handkerchiefs instead of tissues

Repurpose

Find a new use for something you already have.

  • Upcycle your old items into new items
  • Donate clean clothing and homewares to charity
  • Give items to family or friends
  • Sell unwanted items at a garage sale or online
  • Use leftover food to create new meals such as salads and soups
  • Use jars to store food items in your pantry
  • Use old sheets to protect your furniture and floors when painting
  • Use old clothes and towels as cleaning rags

Repair

Fix items instead of throwing them away

  • Learn to sew so you can mend your own clothes
  • Take your damaged or ill fitting clothes to a tailor
  • Take your damaged shoes to a boot maker
  • Take your broken jewellery to a jeweller
  • Take your broken watch to a watchmaker
  • Bring your damaged furniture or appliances to workshops run by the Bower Reuse and Repair Centre
  • Visit your local Men's Shed to learn how to repair a whole range of items
  • Regularly service your car to avoid costly repairs

Recycle

Avoid sending as much as possible to landfill by recycling.

  • Put paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers, glass bottles, aluminium and steel cans in your recycling bin
  • Take plastic and glass bottles to your nearest Return and Earn collection point
  • Put your fruit and vegetable scraps in a compost bin or worm farm
  • Take your old car batteries, electronics, gas bottles, motor oil and garden waste to Council's Recycling Drop Off Centre
  • Take your used household batteries to Council's Admin Centre, Libraries or Leisure Centres
  • Take your old paint and light globes to the Liverpool Community Recycling Centre
  • Take your used ink cartridges to your nearest Officeworks, Australia Post, Harvey Norman, JB Hi-Fi or Good Guys store
  • Take plastic bags and plastic packaging to Coles and Woolworths


For more information, please contact Council's Environmental Education team
 on 9725 0222.