Looking for the best way to reduce waste in Nelson Tasman?
Wasteless is your local guide to almost 300 solutions. We make it easy to do the right thing.
The Waste Hierarchy
This section explains how most waste ends up in landfills and how making smarter choices at the top of the waste hierarchy can change that. Wasteless provides local solutions to reduce waste and help build a circular economy where resources are reused. Here's how:
Refuse
1
This is where it all starts. We can refuse things that do the most harm to our environment, refuse to buy or use them, and refuse to spend on waste. By asking ourselves if we really need a wasteful product or if there is a better alternative, we can refuse anything that stays in the environment longer than its use.
Reduce
2
We can be responsible consumers by choosing products that waste less, are locally produced, have minimal packaging, and are designed to last. Consuming only what we need, being inventive with leftovers, and supporting good producers through social media reduces waste significantly.
Reuse
3
We can reuse as much as possible by upcycling, repurposing, and maintaining items. Buying second-hand, refilling containers, and repairing items instead of replacing them helps reduce waste. Sharing, hiring, and thrifting are also great ways to reuse resources efficiently.
Recycle
4
We can recycle by understanding what materials are recyclable, ensuring proper sorting and cleaning, and choosing products made from recycled materials. Recycling requires effort to ensure materials reach the correct facility in the right condition.
Rot
5
We should compost organic waste like food and green waste instead of sending it to landfills. Composting turns waste into a resource that enriches the soil and reduces the harmful methane emissions that result from organic waste breaking down in landfills.