Eco-Wise Action

This project was funded by the Department of Sustainability and Environment

Smart Shopping and Waste

Today’s workshop

• About what you buy and what you throw away

• Includes a home check list and lots of ideas

Background information

Reducing waste does not mean going without

Waste

energywater materials

products

waste

Photo: Samuel Mann

Greenhouse Gases

192 kg

of waste per person per year

buried landfill

methane gas

underground water

leaching into groundwater

contaminates soil

Stops land being used for other purposes

How long does rubbish last?

Banana

Cigarette butt

Leather boot

Cotton rag

Paper bag

Wool sock

Rubber soleTin can (e.g. baked beans)

Aluminium can (e.g. soft drink)

Plastic rings for holding six-

packsPlastic jug

Styrofoam cup

Glass bottle

Rubbish lasts a long time!

• banana - 3 to 4 weeks • paper bag - 1 month • cotton rag - 5 months • wool sock - 1 year • cigarette butt - 2 to 5 years • leather boot - 40 to 50 years • rubber sole - 50 to 80 years • tin can - 80 to 100 years • aluminium can - 200 to 500 years • plastic rings for holding 6-packs - 450 years • plastic jug - 1 million years • Styrofoam cup - unknown – forever? • glass bottle - unknown – forever?

How to shop smarter and

reduce waste

Photo by sari dennise from Mexico City

compost bin worm farm bokashi bin

Image by mercedesfromtheeighties

Photo: joguldi Photo: joguldi

Junk mail sticker

Using the home checklist

Using the home checklist

Smart shopping checklist

Easy Actions

Do you write a shopping list before shopping?

No

Write a shopping list to avoid buying things that will not be used.

Do you throw out packaging?

Yes

Buy items with minimal packaging or with recyclable packaging, e.g. loose fruit and vegetables.

Do you accept plastic bags when shopping?

Yes

Take reusable shopping bags to the shops instead.

Any questions?

What do you want to do?

What was interesting for

you?

Next workshop: Celebration