Do you feel like you are surrounded by too much stuff? And most of it is gathering dust?
And does more and more stuff seem to find its way into your house?
Everything new that we buy has an impact on the environment – raw materials to make it, energy and water in manufacturing, and then transport to get it to you.
Here are a few ideas to reduce your impact and reduce waste when considering making a new purchase:
- Do you really need it? Is it a ‘need’ or a ‘want’? Can you get by without it? Avoiding items if you don’t really need them is the best way to go.
- Can you find what you need second hand? Op shops, second hand stores and buy-swap-sell pages are a great source for all sorts of items, you name it you can probably find it! And save some money at the same time.
- If you can’t find what you need second hand – can you buy something that is made from recycled or natural materials? These are likely to have less of an impact on the environment.
- Can what you buy be recycled or biodegrade at the end of its life? Think about whether what you are buying will end up in landfill eventually. If you can avoid this, your purchase will have less of an impact in the long-term.
These tips apply to anything and everything – run your purchase decisions through this checklist and you’ll be helping the environment in every choice you make! Ultimately these decisions will help you reduce waste and reduce your impact on the environment.
Every little bit adds up and if we all make a few small changes in our habits – the world will be a better and healthier place!
Visit our store for more ideas around recycled and reusable items to help reduce waste.
