Four ways you can reduce your waste

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[cs_section id=”” class=” ” style=”margin: 0px; padding: 45px 0px; ” visibility=”” parallax=”false”][cs_row id=”” class=” ” style=”margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; ” visibility=”” inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=””][cs_column id=”” class=”” style=”padding: 0px; ” bg_color=”” fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″][cs_text id=”” class=”” style=”” text_align=””]

19th April, 2016

We can all take individual responsibility for reducing our waste. Reducing the waste you produce doesn’t mean you have to change your whole way of living around, but you can simply take small steps.
Here are some tips on lowering your waste footprint! If you need a bit of inspiration check out this video about Laura Singer. The rubbish she’s produced over the past two years, that can’t be recycled or composted, fits into a single jar![/cs_text][x_video_embed no_container=”false” type=”16:9″][/x_video_embed][x_feature_list][x_feature_box title=”1. Bring your own shopping bags” title_color=”” text_color=”” graphic=”icon” graphic_size=”60px” graphic_shape=”circle” graphic_color=”#ffffff” graphic_bg_color=”#2ecc71″ align_h=”left” align_v=”top” side_graphic_spacing=”20px” max_width=”none” child=”true” connector_width=”1px” connector_style=”dashed” connector_color=”#272727″ graphic_icon=”shopping-basket”]When I’m going shopping I’ll bring a backpack and put everything I buy into that. When you think about it, there’s no need to waste a paper bag from a high street shop if you can simply pop it into your handbag or backpack.

The same goes for food shopping – bring your own reusable bags. They’re much more durable than paper or plastic bags and it works out cheaper for you in the long term!
[/x_feature_box][x_feature_box title=”2. Buy a flask/Bobble for your water” title_color=”” text_color=”” graphic=”icon” graphic_size=”60px” graphic_shape=”circle” graphic_color=”#ffffff” graphic_bg_color=”#2ecc71″ align_h=”left” align_v=”top” side_graphic_spacing=”20px” max_width=”none” child=”true” connector_width=”1px” connector_style=”dashed” connector_color=”#272727″ graphic_icon=”bitbucket”]More water is used to produce a plastic bottle than the water that’s contained in it. It doesn’t make sense to keep buying bottled water. Of course, there are some scenarios you can’t avoid buying water such as when you’re travelling, but we’re incredibly lucky in Ireland that most of our tap water supply is drinkable.

Flasks are available for as little as €2.50 in Penneys or Dunnes. You could invest in a Bobble bottle for between €13-15 which is supposed to filter the water. A bottle of water costs on average €1.20. If you buy three bottles of water a week, it’s going to cost you almost €190!
Not only are you reducing the amount of plastic you produce by switching to a reusable bottle, it’s also saving you money.
[/x_feature_box][x_feature_box title=”3. Buy plastic alternatives” title_color=”” text_color=”” graphic=”icon” graphic_size=”60px” graphic_shape=”circle” graphic_color=”#ffffff” graphic_bg_color=”#2ecc71″ align_h=”left” align_v=”top” side_graphic_spacing=”20px” max_width=”none” child=”true” connector_width=”1px” connector_style=”dashed” connector_color=”#272727″ graphic_icon=”pagelines”]Something that’s become popular recently is the idea of swapping your regular plastic toothbrush with a bamboo one. ‘Brush with Bamboo’ are regarded as one of the most environmentally friendly in the materials they use, and how they are produced. There’s also the ‘Life without Plastic’ toothbrushes which use no plastic at all. However, the hair comes from pigs that are raised for meat, so it’s not suitable for vegans.
If you buy the ‘Brush with Bamboo’ toothbrushes in bulk it means the toothbrushes cost as little as €3 or €3.70 each and shipping from the US is just over €10. The ‘Life without Plastic’ toothbrushes are a bit pricier at €6.20 each.
A quick Google search will show you that most items you use including hairbrushes, cooking utensils and office supplies. Even something as simple as buying reusable glass or bamboo straws instead of using plastic ones or opting to not use straws at all can make a huge difference.
[/x_feature_box][x_feature_box title=”4. Cut down on products with excessive packaging” title_color=”” text_color=”” graphic=”icon” graphic_size=”60px” graphic_shape=”circle” graphic_color=”#ffffff” graphic_bg_color=”#2ecc71″ align_h=”left” align_v=”top” side_graphic_spacing=”20px” max_width=”none” child=”true” connector_width=”1px” connector_style=”dashed” connector_color=”#272727″ graphic_icon=”trash”]You can buy fruit and vegetables from markets or loose in the shop and use your own bags to carry them. If you want to go one step further, you can buy your meat from the butchers and ask them to put it into your own containers.

When there’s no alternative to buying products in packaging, try buy in bulk or choose whatever has the least packaging around it. There’s also plenty of recipes online for making your own toothpaste, deodorant and shampoo!

In Ireland, each household on average produces 367kg every year, so it’s definitely an issue we need to address in Ireland. Changing your attitude is the first step to take if you’re serious about reducing the waste you produce. Once you start taking notice of the waste you’re producing, you’ll find ways to reduce it that suit you!
[/x_feature_box][/x_feature_list][x_prompt type=”left” title=”To find our more about reducing waste ” message=”Irish environmental group Voice work on issues relating to waste. Their website has a number of resources for people, organisations and schools looking to reduce their waste and their impact on the planet.” button_text=”Click here to visit Voice” button_icon=”lightbulb-o” circle=”false” href=”http://voiceireland.org/” href_title=”” target=””][x_author title=”About the Author” author_id=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section]

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