G’day Sunshine Coast local,
As someone who’s spent the last 4 years diving headfirst (sometimes quite literally) into the world of rubbish removal here on the Sunshine Coast, I’ve picked up a trick or two about reducing household waste.
It’s not just about keeping our streets and beaches pristine (although, isn’t that a great perk?) but also about making our homes more efficient and our lives a bit lighter.
So, grab yourself a cuppa and let’s chat about how you can drastically cut down on the waste your household produces, with some wisdom I’ve gathered along the way by owning and operating Mango Rubbish Removal.
Start with a Waste Audit
Why You Need One
Imagine going on a treasure hunt, but instead of gold, you’re sifting through… well, your trash.
Conducting a waste audit might not sound glamorous, but it’s the first step toward cutting down your waste.
It’s about understanding what you’re throwing away so you can figure out how to reduce it.
Simple Changes
I remember doing this with my wife for the first time; I found out we were throwing away an absurd amount of plastic wrapping from snacks (and beer cartons) so we decided to make changes.
Both me and my wife Amanda decided to be a lot more conscious about our purchase behaviors and paid attention to what food and drinks came with un-necessary packaging.
It even led to me brewing my own beer to save on bottles and cardboard (but also led to me drinking more beer haha!)
Embrace Composting
Composting is gold for your garden and a superhero move for reducing organic waste.
If you think it’s complicated, it really isn’t.
Getting Started
Start small with a countertop bin for your kitchen scraps and graduate to a compost bin in your yard.
No yard? No problem! Community gardens love donations, or try a bokashi bin, which works wonders in small spaces.
Why It’s Awesome
I started composting a few years back when I bought a property on a half acre block, and not only has my rubbish been reduced significantly, but my veggie garden is thriving.
It’s like giving your plants a superfood cocktail (they’ll thank you for it!).
Say No to Single-Use Plastics
The Sunshine Coast is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and keeping them free from plastics is something we should all take part in.
Make Simple Swaps
Invest in a few reusable items like water bottles, coffee cups, and shopping bags.
It’s a change that feels good every time you use them, knowing you’re part of the solution and not the problem.
Coles and Woolworths have done their bit too by eliminating plastic bags from the checkout’s and supplying the paper bags at 25c each making it even more encouraging to go with your own bags.
Implement the 4Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
This mantra is your new best friend.
Before you buy something, ask yourself if you really need it, if you can get it second-hand, or if you can recycle something you already have.
On the Sunshine Coast there are literally hundreds of op-shop’s that sell decent second hand items.
Places like Vinnies, Salvo’s and Lifeline are always a good bet especially in Maroochydore.
I no longer buy any clothes brand new unless I really have to, and make sure anything I no longer wear goes back to the op-shop later down the line.
Even homewares like towels, bedding, cutlery, artwork, books etc are all available at a fraction of the price you’d pay in a retail store.
Plus you’ll benefit from knowing the money is going to a charity and not a big corporation.
Don’t get me wrong, Kmart has it’s place.
But buying from op shops create a small change that makes a big difference to the amount of rubbish we produce and also to our finances.
Shop Smart: Bulk Buying and Packaging-Free Options
Bulk buying isn’t just for doomsday preppers.
It’s a smart way to reduce packaging waste and often saves money.
Where to Shop
We’re lucky to have some fantastic local markets on the Sunshine Coast as well as some really accessible local fruit and veg stores where you can grab a big box and fill it with out using plastics at all.
My favorite well priced option is Erbachers near Bli Bli.
I’ve been going there for years and I much prefer supporting a local business as well as saving money.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions
Ditching chemical cleaners for natural alternatives has been a game changer in my home, thanks to my wife.
Not only are they better for the environment, but they’re also kinder to your wallet.
Our favorite supplier is zeroco.com.au
They do refills which means less waste and each purchase helps fund an ocean clean up.
It’s win win!
Digital Detox: Reducing E-Waste
E-waste is a growing problem, but there are ways to tackle it head-on.
The first thing we can do is ensure any electronic waste gets disposed of properly in the appropriate bins at the local Sunshine Coast waste stations.
But prevention is far better than cure, so think twice before upgrading your phone, soundbar or TV.
I personally don’t like to fall for the marketing gimmicks of the latest iPhone 15X or whatever and get by easily with an old iPhone 10 and solid case protector to keep it from breaking when I drop it, which happens a lot at work.
Responsible Disposal and Recycling
Not everything can be reused or recycled, but many things can be disposed of more responsibly than just chucking them in the bin.
Local Resources
The Sunshine Coast Council tips have excellent facilities for disposing of tricky items like batteries, paints, and electronics.
Taking advantage of these resources can make a big difference.
Inspire Others: Become a Waste Reduction Advocate
Sharing the changes you’ve made can inspire others to take action too.
It’s about creating a wave of change across our local community.
Leading by Example
After reducing my own household waste, I’ve made it a point to share tips and tricks with friends, family, and through my business.
Seeing others get excited about making changes is incredibly rewarding.
With the cost of living constantly going up, inflation through the roof and mortgage rates constantly going up, the benefits of reducing waste are two fold.
Not only does reducing waste reduce our weekly financial expenditure, it reduces the cost we place upon the planet and the environment.
Wrapping Up
Reducing household waste is a journey, not a destination.
It’s about making better choices, one step at a time.
And remember, every little bit helps.
The beautiful Sunshine Coast that we call home, deserves our best efforts, and I believe that together, we can make a significant impact.
It may seem counter intuitive for a rubbish removal business owner to talk about reducing waste I know, as it’s literally what my service offering is based on!
But what I’m trying to achieve is the reduction of ‘un-necessary’ waste that I see so much of on a daily basis.
We can’t eliminate waste, that’s a fact but we can make better choices to reduce the volume of waste and look after our home and environment.
Cheers,
Jeremy