Reducing your waste

Reducing your waste

Avoiding waste by recycling unwanted goods reduces the amount of waste we send to landfill, it also reduces the amount of raw materials we need to use such as oil, gas and water to create new products!

There are several things that you can do in day-to-day life to reduce the amount of waste that you send to landfill.

Remember to recycle

Many common household items can be recycled in your kerbside bin, check out the recycling bin webpage to see what you can recycle.

We all need to be smart about how we sort our waste to ensure we are putting the right thing in the right bin! After all, your waste is your responsibility.

Buy responsibly

• When shopping remember to take your reusable bags
• Say no to plastic bags, even if the shop is advertising them as re-usable
• Avoid buying single-use, such as plastic water bottles, coffee cups, balloons, and disposable cups, plates, cutlery and straws
• Refuse junk mail (visit the City’s offices for a free “No advertising” sticker)
• Purchase products made from recycled materials
• Avoid individually wrapped products – this packaging is unnecessary, for example fruit and veggies wrapped in plastic or on trays

Use reusable

• Use reusable containers and ditch cling wrap
• Take your reusable water bottle and coffee cup with you when you leave the house
• Invest in a reusable lunch container for your take away food

Download our ‘this for that’ guide to help you ditch single-use and learn more about reusable products.  

Green Caffeen

The City partnered with Green Caffeen in 2021 and after just one year, 20,159 disposable cups have been saved from landfill. This is equivalent to 203 general waste bins! If you, or a business you know, want to be part of Green Caffeen, contact [email protected]

Find out more about Green Caffeen.

Cloth nappies and sanitary products

Millions of cloth nappies are sent to Eaglehawk landfill each year. Modern cloth nappies are easy to use, more cost effective than disposable, better for the environment and come in a great range of colours and patterns!

To find out more about modern cloth nappies, visit the Australian Nappy Association website and visit the Sustainability Victoria website. 

There is a huge range of reusable sanitary products available on the market including pads, underwear and cups. While the change might seem daunting, they are easy to use and clean, are cost effective and reduce the amount of waste that each individual sends to landfill significantly.

Download our reusable sanitary products guide to learn more.

Download our reusable nappies guide to learn more. 

Use your organics bin or compost bin

Recycling organics or composting is a great way to divert material from landfill and recycle the nutrients in your food and garden waste that you no longer need.

Reduce your food waste

• Plan your meals and avoid impulse buying
• Write out a shopping list before buying food and check what is already in the pantry and fridge
• Use leftovers to cook up new meals or take them for lunch the following day