Reducing waste starts with being mindful of what we buy, so we create less waste in the first place. After that, the most helpful thing we can do is keep items in use for as long as possible.
Reusing can mean buying second‑hand, sharing with others, or selling and donating things we no longer need. When something breaks, repairing it is another great way to avoid waste. Recycling is still useful, but it takes energy and resources. Reducing, reusing and repairing should come first.
These simple actions help conserve resources, cut costs, and keep more waste out of landfill.
Tips to reduce, reuse, repair and recycle
Ways to reduce waste
Food and kitchen
Waste-free school lunches
- Pack food in reusable containers instead of cling wrap or zip‑lock bags.
- Choose whole fruit and snacks bought in bulk rather than single‑serve packets.
- Use a reusable drink bottle instead of juice boxes or pouches.
- Include cutlery from home or a reusable set instead of disposable options.
- Add a cloth napkin or small handkerchief instead of paper serviettes.
- Encourage children to bring home any leftovers so you can adjust portion sizes.
Reduce single-use items
- Replace single use plastics such as drink bottles, cling wrap, cutlery, straws, plastic bags and nappies with reusable alternatives. Check the Plastic Free July website for further simple swaps.
- Choose non‑packaged options such as bar soap instead of liquid soap.
- Bring your own clean container for takeaway food. Visit the BYO Containers website to see participating businesses.
- Swap balloons for bubbles at celebrations. For more tips, check out our Plastic Free Event Guidelines.
Smarter shopping and borrowing
- Avoid buying new items when possible and look to borrow, repair or buy second hand first.
- Before purchasing, ask yourself: Do I need this? Will it last? Can I repair or reuse something I already have?
- Use a toy library instead of buying new toys.
- Explore Sustainability Victoria's Kids' party playbook for low waste party ideas.
Paper and packaging
- Place a ‘No Junk Mail’ sticker on your letterbox.
- Choose electronic versions of letters, newsletters and receipts.
Visit Zero Waste Victoria for more waste reduction tips or find out how to downsize your household bins.
Ways to reuse what you can
Reusable everyday items
- Try reusable nappies and learn about different styles, how to fit them, how to clean them and how to make them last longer by visiting our webpage.
- Explore reusable menstrual products such as period underwear, menstrual cups and reusable pads.
- Investigate reusable continence aids if they are right for you.
- Use glass jars to store food, pantry items or small household items.
- Choose beeswax wraps instead of cling wrap and silicone sheets instead of baking paper.
- Invest in long lasting items such as a safety razor, reusable earbuds, reusable straws, reusable cutlery, lunchboxes and containers.
- Use a cooler bag and thermos for meals on the go.
- Switch to rechargeable batteries.
- Choose reusable bread bags, produce bags and coffee cups.
Creative reuse and upcycling
- Collect cardboard boxes, scrap paper and clean plastic bottles for children’s arts and crafts.
- Reuse cardboard boxes for storage around the home.
- Look online for simple upcycling ideas to give old items a new purpose.
Sharing, donating and buying second-hand
Ways to repair
Why repair?
Repairing an item before replacing it can save money, reduce waste and keep useful materials out of landfill. Many everyday items can be fixed at home, by a local repair business or through community repair programs.
Local repair options
- Whitehorse Repair Café (Strathdon House and Orchard Precinct): Bring along broken household items and volunteers will do their best to repair them. You can also learn basic repair skills or volunteer as a repairer. Visit the HealthAbility website or the healthAbility Repair Café - Whitehorse Facebook page for details.
- Box Hill Community Shed: The Community Shed offers opportunities to repair, restore or learn basic maintenance skills for bicycles. It is a great option for giving old bikes a second life.
- Local repair businesses: Many businesses offer repairs for clothing, shoes, electronics, furniture, jewellery, watches and more. Search online to find a repairer close to home.
- Repair workshops: Council and Whitehorse Manningham Libraries run occasional repair workshops where you can learn simple skills such as mending clothes, fixing small appliances or restoring furniture. Check the events page for upcoming sessions.
Ways to recycle right
If you cannot reduce, reuse or repair an item, recycling it correctly is the next best option. Make sure everyone in your household or workplace knows how to recycle properly.
Know what goes in your bins
Find the right disposal option
- If you are unsure how to dispose of an item, visit the Recycle Mate website or download the app to check which bin to use or whether a better recycling option exists nearby.
- If an item cannot go in your kerbside recycling bin, it may still be recyclable elsewhere. Visit the Other Disposal Options page for local drop‑off points.
Recycling at work
- Check what recycling services your workplace has and what materials are accepted.
- Visit Planet Ark's website for guidance on setting up or improving workplace recycling systems.
Support the recycling industry
