A is for AVOIDING
Some items can’t be recovered using gifting, recycling, Earth-cycling or taking to specialist drop-off locations, but we can still do better than landfill by AVOIDING these items in the first place! Visit Waste Sorted, Be a GREAT Sort to find out more.

A lot of people are already making the swap from disposable and single use items to sustainable and reusable alternatives. People who are GREAT at avoiding waste set themselves up before they leave the house with things such as:

  • Shopping lists with low packaged items in mind
  • Reusable shopping bag
  • Reusable containers
  • Reusable coffee cups
  • Reusable cutlery
  • Reusable water bottle

For more information, visit Waste Sorted.

Alternative products to help AVOID

There are many alternatives to most single use products. 

Single usE item ALTERNATIVE
Plastic wrap/sandwich bags Bees wax wraps, glass/metal/reusable containers
Plastic water bottles Reusable water bottles
Disposable straws, plates, cups, cutlery Reusable cutlery sets, reusable straws etc
Excess packaging - Produce Buy loose fruits and vegetables, reusable bags for fruit/vegetable/flour/oats etc, glass/metal/reusable containers for meat
Food scraps - Used coffee grounds, vegetable peels etc Earth-Cycle - See Earth-Cycle for more information 

You can purchase discounted reusable coffee cups through Switch Your Thinking. Visit Switch Your Thinking for more information. 

Other ways to avoid:

  • Ensure you write a list before you go shopping to avoid purchasing items you do not need
  • Purchase a no junk mail sticker for your letterbox to avoid excess paper
  • Think before you buy - Can I purchase an alternative with less or no packaging? Do I need that extra pair of shoes? 

Challenge yourself

Millions of people take part in Plastic Free July, National Recycling Week, and a multitude of other initiatives to help make landfill the last resort.

Find out how to participate by visiting Plastic Free July and National Recycling Week

Page Last Reviewed 8 May 2023