Just a few streets back from Perth’s pristine coast lies the household waste of over 750,000 everyday Aussies. Otherwise known as Tamala Park, this local ibis hotspot has approximately four years left to operate before the tip is full.
Creating a world without landfill waste is a change we can make together. Our small, individual changes add up to big community change, so join the Urban List team as we commit to a week-long detox from single-use plastics.
Whether it’s avoiding online shopping, dodging disposable packaging, or hosting a plastic-free picnic with your pals, the options are endless when it comes to banking some planet-preserving wins this winter. We’ve teamed up with the legends at WasteSorted to share some useful tips bound to get the good vibes flowing.
Enter Your Tote Era
Sling a tote over your shoulders and make a statement with these very useful things. Even though single-use plastic bags have been replaced with paper alternatives, they cannot beat a trusty tote. From cost savings to reducing your carbon footprint, the benefits of a tote are endless. Our top tip? Make it trendy so you never accidentally leave it at home. Sanvt has some great wishlist-worthy options we guarantee you'll love, or take a hunt through your reusable bag stash to uncover any forgotten gems.
Skip The Bottle
Most of the money you spend to buy a bottle of water when out and about goes towards the bottle itself. And it takes far more water to make that bottle than you'll scull down! Whether you're a Stanley fan or a Frank Green girly, the reusable water bottle market is strong. A good reusable bottle also offers a quality sense of emotional support and will help you to drink your daily 2 litres with no trouble at all—now that's a win.
Make It A Date
Instead of opting for a Sunday night UberEats session, a plastic-free week poses the perfect excuse to up the romance. Avoid disposable packaging and make it a date by grabbing your special someone and choosing to dine in at your your fave location. Knowing you have done your deed for the planet will make the food taste even better. Bonus points if you BYO a container for your left-overs for later.
Pass On The Plastic
When shopping for necessities, it's all too easy to reach for whatever's in front of us, but these easy-to-grab options are often entangled in nasty and unnecessary plastics. Next time you need something around the house, make a pass on the plastic and choose packaging that will leave you and your surroundings feeling good. Remember, it’s just as important to avoid single-use disposable items made of bamboo, paper, and cardboard. Our top tip with all packaging is that less is always more.
Go The Extra Mile
Passionate about making a positive and permanent change? Try creating your very own zero-waste kit. There are plenty of ideas roaming around online to help you to build the perfect plastic-free pack. Inclusive of reusable bags, plastic-free containers, utensils, and straws, we recommend keeping your zero-waste kit in your bag at all times so it’s handy whenever you need it. It also makes for a more pleasant dining experience when you get to skip the paper straws, fibre lids and bamboo forks and use your proper cutlery instead!
DIY Is In Our DNA
Get in touch with your crafty side and embrace DIY alternatives. From cleaning products to pantry storage, snack bags, and even disinfectant wipes, there are heaps of fun ways you can get creative for the sake of the planet. With the winter weather providing the perfect excuse for a Saturday in, why not host a craft night with your crew?
Eat, Compost, Grow, Repeat
When it comes to addressing climate change and building healthy garden soil, turning your food scraps into compost will do wonders for our waste streams. More importantly, it involves minimal effort, funds, equipment, and expertise. The best part? Your homegrown veggies will go gangbusters, giving you the perfect excuse to host a plastic-free potluck and test out your very first tagine.
Thanks to our mates at WasteSorted, your waste avoidance journey doesn’t have to end after one week. Continue your contribution to a better future and find out more tips on how to ditch plastic and other single-use packaging here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by WasteSorted and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.
Image credit: Supplied.