When you throw that plastic bottle or aluminium can into the recycling bin, it does make a significant difference.
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By recycling one plastic bottle, you are saving enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes.
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Recycling aluminium uses only five percent of the energy it takes to make a new aluminium product.
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The electricity saved from recycling just one aluminium can is enough energy to power a TV for three hours.
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Three-quarters of clothing is thrown out within a year of buying, but by reducing the amount of 'fast fashion' you buy, you are saving water. It takes 2700 litres of water to produce one item of clothing - that's more than enough drinking water for one person for three years.
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When you compost food waste, you avoid sending it to landfill. When in landfill, it decomposes without oxygen and produces methane, which is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
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By drinking tap water rather than bottled water, you are avoiding plastic and saving even more water! It takes up to 4 litres of water to produce one litre of bottled water.
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Australia is one of the world leaders in paper and cardboard recycling! Collectively recycling one tonne of paper means we are saving 13 trees, 2.5 barrels of oil, 4 square metres of landfill and 31,780 litres of water. Well done us!
8 easy ways to reduce your waste
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Make a meal plan and stick to it - buy only what you need when you go shopping. You'll reduce your food waste and save money. Bonus!
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Keep your reusable shopping bags in your car so you don't forget them. Plastic supermarket bags may have disappeared, but if you can, avoid buying even more made of paper.
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Buy bars of soap rather than liquid soap in plastic bottles. You can also buy shampoo in bars which will avoid even more plastic waste.
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Buy loose fruit and vegetables rather than the pre-packaged variety - and take your own reusable produce bags.
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Buy some rechargeable batteries rather than single use.
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Opt for recycled paper products and remember your reusable cup for your takeaway coffee.
