In Whitehorse we landfill over 27,000 tonnes of waste a year, that’s approximately the same weight as 216 blue whales! By reducing, reusing and recycling we can help look after our environment, send less waste to landfill and save money too.
If you are unsure where to start, look at your waste to see the types of waste items you are generating. Then set yourself a goal and think of some steps to help you reduce your waste.
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The REDcycle soft plastic collection program at Coles and Woolworths is currently not operating.
We are monitoring various soft plastic options, including a program operated by Monash City Council. However, the Monash program is not suitable to extend to Whitehorse. There is no system-wide option for Victoria at the moment. When considering a soft plastic scheme for Whitehorse, Council will only consider joining a program which is sustainable and maintains the trust and expectations of our community.
For now, please put soft plastic items in your red-lidded garbage bin, not in your yellow-lidded recycling bin.
When placed in your recycling bin, soft plastic can contaminate the paper recycling stream and disrupt and damage machinery at the processing facility.
Find out other ways you can reduce your waste.
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Here are some tips on how to reduce, reuse and recycle to get you started
Reduce
You can reduce the amount of waste generated by:
- Planning meals to reduce food waste and using what you already have in your pantry, fridge or freezer
- Composting organic waste or use our food and garden organics service to recycle food waste
- Purchasing items in bulk, with minimal packaging that is reusable or recyclable
- Growing your own food at home
- Ditching single use plastic items such as drink bottles, cling wrap, cutlery, straws, plastic bags and nappies, and going for reusable items instead
- Purchasing goods with your own container. Visit the Trashless Takeaway for a list of businesses that accept clean, reusable containers for takeaway food
- Swapping packaged items with non-packaged like opting for bars of soap instead of liquid soap
- Swap balloons for bubbles
- Placing a ‘No Junk Mail’ sticker on your letterbox
- Opting to receive electronic copies of letters, newsletters or receipts
- Using washable items like wash cloths or handkerchiefs instead of makeup, baby wipes or tissues
- Avoiding purchasing brand new items. Look to borrow, repair or buy second hand first.
- Prior to purchasing an item ask yourself. Do you need the item or want it? Is the item good quality and will it last? Can you repair or use an existing item?
- Make your own green cleaning products or beauty products
- Utilise a toy library rather than purchasing brand new.
For more tips visit Zero Waste Victoria.
Find out how to downsize your kerbside bins.
Reuse
Get creative, find items that can be used again. There are many products out there you can purchase or look at what you already have. Such as:
- Glass jars to store food or items
- Collecting cardboard boxes, scrap paper, plastic bottles for arts and crafts for the kids
- Cardboard boxes for storage
- Use Beeswax wraps instead of cling wrap or silicone sheets instead of baking paper
- Safety razor
- Reusable straws
- Cooler bag and thermos
- A lunch box or container
- Reusable cutlery
- Reusable batteries
- Reusable Sanitary items, such as underwear, menstrual cups and pads
- Reusable bread bags and produce bags
- Reusable coffee cups and pods
- Reusable nappies
- Reusable ear buds
- Look online for examples of ‘upcycling’
- Donate or sell unwanted household items in good condition
- Shop at op shops, vintage stores, markets and online for pre-loved clothing.
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