Ways to reduce your waste

Find out what you can do to reduce the waste you produce at home and at work. We can all do our part to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Benefits of reducing, reusing, and recycling

  • Prevents pollution caused by reducing the need to harvest new raw materials
  • Saves energy
  • Reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change
  • Helps sustain the environment for future generations
  • Saves money
  • Reduces the amount of waste that will need to be recycled or sent to landfills and incinerators
  • Allows products to be used to their fullest extent
  • Conserves natural resources such as timber, water and minerals
  • Increases economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials
  • Helps create jobs in the recycling and manufacturing industries

How to make a difference

  • Buy reusable rather than disposable products.
  • Choose products with less packaging.
  • Buy from bulk bins.
  • Choose concentrated products.
  • Buy only what you need to reduce spoilage.
  • Take your own reusable bags to the supermarket.
  • Buy products in reusable, refillable or recyclable containers.
  • Buy well-made appliances and goods, and keep them in good condition.

  • Jars, tins and plastic containers are great for storage.
  • Buy reusable over disposable items. Look for items that can be reused; the little things can add up. For example, you can bring your own silverware and cup to work, rather than using disposable items.
  • Friends and community groups may be able to use clothes or furniture.
  • Drop off reusable items at opportunity shops and second-hand stores.
  • Maintain and repair products, like clothing, tires and appliances, so that they won't have to be thrown out and replaced as frequently.
  • Borrow, rent or share items that are used infrequently, like party decorations, tools or furniture.
  • Look for products that use less packaging. When manufacturers make their products with less packaging, they use less raw material. This reduces waste and costs. These extra savings can be passed along to the consumer. Buying in bulk, for example, can reduce packaging and save money.

  • Use Hutt City's recycling service for glass, plastic bottles, jars, cans, and paper. You'll save on the cost of rubbish disposal, and materials can be used for making new products.
  • Buy recycled products where possible as it supports the collection of recyclables. Products made from recycled materials saves our natural resources, creates less pollution and saves energy.

Organisations that accept donated items

There are many organisations and charities that accept donated items in Hutt City. Give them a call first before you drop larger items off. If you have a lot of items to donate, they'll even come and collect them.

Note: Don't donate items that are broken and can't be used. Those things should be taken to the tip.

There are many more. Do a quick Google search for opshops near you to find more.

For more information