Smart ways to reduce waste in your home

Did you know that the average homeowner produces around 2 kg of waste every day? The first step to having an eco-friendly space is to look inside your own household and recognise how many objects may end up as waste.

These ideas will assist you in reducing waste and beginning the transition to a zero-waste home.

• Get into the habit of recycling

One of the simplest methods to decrease waste is to recycle products such as plastic bottles, books, newspapers, and electronics. Recycling keeps materials out of landfills by recycling them into new items that can be reused. Recycling responsibly also reduces pollution in the recycling stream.

Remember to double-check what can be recycled because certain items may not be easily recyclable. Some bottle lids, for example, cannot be recycled with the remainder of the bottle, so you may need to separate these components in your recycling bin.

• Compost your kitchen waste

Methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, is produced by organic waste. Methane emissions are considerably decreased by composting waste food and other organics. 

Making your own compost from kitchen waste will help improve your garden soil by retaining moisture and suppressing plant diseases and pests. It also minimises the need for artificial fertilisers by encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria and fungus that break down organic matter to form humus, a nutrient-rich substance.

Composting may be interwoven into your life in a number of ways, from collecting leaf mulch to storing fruit peelings. 

• Go digital

Paper production includes the use of technology that emits additional carbon dioxide into the environment. Going digital alleviates the pressure to limit air pollution. The waste generated by paper-related sectors also has a negative impact on our environment. Simply going digital and minimising the use of paper goes a long way toward preserving the environment.

Consider purchasing digital subscriptions to your favourite publications to read on your tablet or computer. Many businesses urge their clients to use electronic bills and receipts. 

• Donate your goods

Donating your old clothing will help you decrease waste at home while also doing good in the community. Begin searching through your clothes and be liberal with your selections. This will also free up closet and drawer space, making it easier to choose what to wear. 

Seeff may assist you if you are unclear about how to donate your old goods. Our Home2Home initiative is supported by organisations that can help with the redistribution of your donated items to South African communities.

• Reduce and reuse basics

The most efficient strategy to lessen waste is to avoid producing it in the first place. Making a new product emits greenhouse emissions that contribute to climate change and necessitates a significant amount of resources and energy. For example, raw materials must be taken from the ground, and the product must be manufactured and then delivered to its final destination. As a result, the most effective approaches to preserve natural resources, protect the environment, and save money are reduction and reuse.

To reduce waste, you may reuse or repurpose goods such as old clothing, grocery bags, and bottles. Purchase old things to reduce waste and the pollutants released by the production of new materials or their disposal in landfills. Check labels to verify if a product or its packaging is created from recycled materials.

With these ways to reduce waste around your home, you can now start making the transition to having an eco-friendlier household. If you are in the market for a new environmentally friendly home, contact Seeff Hillcrest & Kloof today. Our property experts will help you find the home of your dreams.