Follow the “Waste Hierarchy”
In a culture ridden with a fast consumption-based economy, reducing your single use items can be a difficult task. The responsibility then lies on the consumer to make conscious decisions when purchasing, disposing, and reusing goods. Instead of buying new items, try to find the item used. Buying goods that are more durable will save money and hassle in the long run, and reduce the waste impact of cheap and poorly manufactured goods. What happens if you are unable to reuse an item or recycle it? Someone else may have a use for it! Using online marketplaces to resell your item is a great way to avoid it ending up in a landfill, and to make a few bucks. If in doubt, ensure the products you buy are environmentally friendly, and come from recycled materials.
- If there are fewer items purchased initially, there is less to recycle or reuse.
- Before disposing of an item, ask yourself if there is another use or purpose for it.