Skip to main content

How to reduce your waste

A lot of our waste unnecessarily goes to landfill. Landfill sites take up a lot of space, which could otherwise be used for natural bushland, farmland and other open spaces.

Recycle as much as you can

A lot of common household items can be put in your blue recycle bin. 

Lots of other items can be recycled as well:

  • unwanted chemicals, solvents and oils
  • mobile phones and other electronic waste
  • soft plastics

Find where else you can recycle unwanted items or search your item on our waste disposal directory.

Buy responsibly

Take your own reusable shopping bags

Consider taking your own reusable shopping bags both to the grocery store but also whenever you go shopping.

Purchase recycled products

A lot of the things we buy have options that are recycled or contain recycled materials. Next time you're at the shops, check the label and choose the option with more recycled materials. Visit Planet Ark's Recycled Products Directory for a detailed list.

Minimise packaging

When buying items, try and choose things that have less packaging or that have minimal packaging. A lot of plastic can end up as litter that's dangerous to our natural environment.

Say no to unnecessary plastics and packaging - for example fruit and veggies wrapped in plastic or on trays. Fresh unwrapped food is often the healthier option too.

Shop smarter at the grocery store

Before you go grocery shopping: plan your meals, check your fridge and pantry, make a list, and avoid impulse buying. 

Make sure you know the difference between 'use by' and 'best before'. Often, you can still safely eat foods for a while after their best before date has past. They may have only lost some quality.

Find out more tips to reduce waste and handy recipes on the Love Food Hate Waste website.

Detox your home

Detox your home is a free service where you can dispose of unwanted toxic household materials without harming your health or the environment. The collected items are recycled for recovery and diverted from landfill. There are both mobile collection events and permanent drop-off sites.

Check the events calendar for upcoming mobile collections, or visit the Sustainability Victoria website for all upcoming collections around Victoria.

Composting

Composting your food waste means you send less waste to landfill. The compost process also produces a nutrient rich soil product that is great for your garden.

You may also be eligible to get a rebate for your compost bin, Bokashi Bucket or Worm Farm.

Get the most out of composting

Composting your food waste means you send less waste to landfill, and the process also produces a nutrient rich soil that is great for your garden!

More information:

Cloth nappies and reusable sanitary products 

Using cloth nappies and reusable sanitary products is good for the environment. 

To encourage their use, the City of Casey is offering rebates on these environmentally friendly options. This is a one-off rebate per household.

Have you found the information you were looking for?