MANAGING YOUR WASTE DURING LOCKDOWN

As we continue to stay at home during the 21-day lockdown period, there will be an increase in household waste. Public waste collection will continue as an essential service, but many recycling centres have closed and recycling collection might be reduced or have been halted.

Establishing and maintaining good waste management habits at home is now more important than ever. Not to worry, we’re sharing tips to turn your trash into treasure. Let the kids join in – we’ve tossed in some fun ideas that will help you cope over the next few weeks:

KEEP RECYCLING:

  • Don’t stop recycling. Separate your recyclables as always from your wet waste and keep them aside until services resume normally. If your local drop-off is still open during this time, why not drop off your recyclables when you are making your shopping trip.
  • Clean your recyclables thoroughly with warm, soapy water to ensure optimum hygiene – especially now that you have to store them for the foreseeable future. Also remember to empty milk and drink bottles of liquid content. This prevents smells and contamination of the recyclables.
  • Save water and wash recyclables in your sink after you’ve done the dishes.
  • Save space. Flatten boxes and twist PET bottles to reduce their size.
  • Remember, recycling starts before you get to the bin. Check out the recycling instructions on the back of packs to know if it is going to landfill or can be recycled. [on pack recycling labels].

MINIMISE YOUR WASTE:

  • There’s never been a better time to practice responsible consumption: Try and cook as efficiently as possible. Meal plans are a lifesaver. Make a list of what you have in your freezer and cupboards and decide on recipes beforehand. This is a great way to minimise food waste.
  • Start or ramp up your home composting – all those veggie and fruit peels, egg cartons, and coffee grounds can eventually feed your newly planted veggie and herb garden. Check online for tips on the best ways to do home composting. Easy and eco-friendly!

REPURPOSE YOUR PACKAGING:

  • Cut up your water bottles and use them to house pens and supplies for your home office or your kid’s activity nook. Creative ones can decorate them with paint, stickers and washi tape.
  • Repurpose old bottles, Rosa tomato punnets etc. into snack containers.
  • Drill some holes into the caps of your Earth Friendly detergent containers and use as a watering can.
  • Take toilet roll cartons, put them upright in a box and organise all your charging cables separately into each roll.
  • Use empty salad dressing containers to mix and store your own homemade salad dressings.

COMBINE RECYCLING & HOME-SCHOOLING:

  • Turn old boxes into recycling bins. Give your artists, crayons to label them – glass, paper and cans – along with beautiful drawings or cut-out pictures.
  • Make magical seed bombs! Cut up old newspapers, separate into bowls and soak in a little bit of water and food colouring. Blitz each bowl in a blender individually. Add flower seeds and roll into balls. Kids will love planting the colourful seeds and watching their sprouts grow.
  • Use egg cartons to hold different-coloured paints. Or, keep things educational by letting kids paint them to use as building blocks or for a colour-matching game.
  • Get the kids to regrow your food scraps in those cut-off 2-l bottles. It teaches them an important lesson on cutting down on food waste, sustainability and saving money. Leafy scraps are especially easy to grow – lettuce, spring onion, celery and lemon grass. Ask them to do their own research online for each of the different veggies. That will keep them busy for at least a morning!
  • For a more serious lesson: teach the kids to read and interpret the recycling instructions on the back of packs. Ask them to draw or paint the recycling symbol so they get to know it when they see it.