The west is guilty of wasting so much in regards to products and food that they buy. Here are some tips on how to reduce waste – you might even save yourself a few pennies…

• Buy refills when you can – it’ll cut down on the amount of packaging you’re using.
• Buy second hand – recycle, recycle, recycle!
• Say no to plastic bags, try and carry round a bag for life with you, so you don’t forget when you go shopping. If you do have to use plastic bags make sure you re-use them.
• Slap a no junk mail sticker to your post box. No one wants it, so if more people refuse it maybe they’ll stop annoying us and doing it! Otherwise call the Distribution Standards Board on 1800 676 136 and complain!
• When you put cans and bottles in the rubbish remember to squash them to make more room, and thus you won’t fill up the bag as quickly. It’s also a great stress reducer!
• When you go shopping keep in mind everything you are going to be throwing away and things that you could reuse and recycle.
• Make a shopping list for the week and stick to it. It’ll reduce the amount you waste – food and packaging wise.
• Buy in bulk – it cuts down on packaging and will usually save you money.
• Avoid disposable options and buy long lasting products such as nappies, razors, napkins, cameras etc.