Have you ever looked around your house and thought maybe it’s time to do something about the clutter? As Brisbane’s best household waste removal service, we know a thing or two about clutter. Most homes could do with some spring cleaning, but the good news is, you can also do your part for the environment. In this article, we’ll discuss the five R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Re-use, Repurpose and Recycle. Read on to learn how to keep your home tidy while also helping the planet.
Australian waste statistics
Household waste is still a big problem in Australia, as some of these statistics show:
- In 2018/209, Australian households generated 12.4 million tonnes of waste
- Australians spend $595 million on waste services
- Over half of household waste is organic material
- Households contribute 47% of the country’s plastic waste
- Households contribute 72% of all glass waste
- Around 40% of Australia’s e-waste comes from households
Figures supplied by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Australian recycling statistics
Australians are getting much better at recycling and re-using materials (resource recovery), but there is still work to do, as these statistics show.
- In 2020/2021, Australia’s resource recovery rate was 63%, with recycling being 60%.
- Australia’s recycling rate has improved in the last 15 years by 57%
- Waste generation has increased by 3% since 2018/2019, but the recycling rate has not
- Plastics are the least-recycled material, at just 13%
Figures sourced from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
How to follow the five Rs to keep your home environmentally friendly
Getting rid of clutter around the home improves your comfort levels dramatically. You’ll have more space, your house will be healthier and everything even seems calmer. Here’s how to get rid of household waste using the five Rs.
Refuse
While this won’t help you clean up existing clutter, the first step is to consider what you purchase and bring into the home. When you buy anything for the home, consider the amount of plastic used. Support companies that use eco-friendly packaging, and simply refuse to buy products that are over-packaged. One of the best examples is in your supermarket’s produce section. Say no to individually wrapped or packaged fruit. You’ll never completely eliminate the use of plastics, but you can start by refusing the items that don’t feel environmentally friendly.
Reduce
As you become more selective with the products you buy, you can also think about reducing the amount you buy. You can apply this principle to everything from fresh fruit to furniture. Products are usually manufactured according to demand, and considering the strain the manufacturing industry puts on the environment, it’s a good idea to only buy what you really need.
Also, considering over half of household waste is organic, remember to only buy the fresh produce you intend to use in the near future. This helps reduce waste and saves you money.
Re-use
One of the best ways to avoid clutter is to re-use certain items. Plastics are a big one here, and as Australians we’ve got a lot of work to do. In 2016/2017, Australia produced 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste, but only 9% of that was recycled. A whopping 84% ended up in landfill.
Say no to single-use plastics, and always try to re-use items where possible. Think about grocery bags, drink bottles and smaller items you can re-use. For larger items, if you can’t use them yourself, consider giving to friends or even donating to charity stores.
Repurpose
Also known as upcycling, repurposing goods is a great way to reduce household waste. Sometimes, it takes a bit of creativity, but there’s one easy rule to follow. Before you dispose of anything, ask yourself if it can be repurposed. Can glass jam jars be repurposed to store craft or hardware supplies. Can you turn broken household items into garden art? The possibilities are endless, but repurposing your goods is a great way to ensure you only have the things you need instead of pointless clutter and household waste.
Recycle
Finally, recycling is the big ticket item. Firstly, make sure you recycle everything that you can in your fortnightly collection. Most councils have a yellow-lid bin for recyclables. Secondly, if you have larger recyclable items, find a way to dispose of them responsibly. You can take them to your local waste management facility, or if this is difficult, contact Absolute Rubbish Removal and we’ll take care of your household junk.
In Queensland, you can take advantage of the Containers for Change program, which awards you 10 cents for every plastic container you recycle. It might not sound like much, but added up over a year of household recycling, it would certainly contribute to a nice Christmas fund.
Need help with your household waste?
At Absolute Rubbish Removals, we offer a dedicated household waste collection to keep your home tidy all year round. Whether you’ve done some spring cleaning, you’re moving house, or just want to eliminate frustrating waste, we’re here to help. We take the time to sort your household waste at the point of collection. This keeps tip costs down, but it also means your rubbish is disposed of in the most environmentally appropriate way. We also offer same-day collection in Morningside, Hawthorne and all surrounding areas. So, if you want expert last-minute household waste collection, contact the team at Absolute Rubbish Removals today.
