Tips to Help to Reduce Waste During Lockdown

The global health pandemic has changed our lives over the past few months completely. The impact that this virus has had on life, business, work, society, and health care systems is truly unprecedented, and in some aspects, pretty devastating. It has been a challenge for many. However, it has been a time when friends and neighbors are connecting more than ever, helping each other, and showing support all around the world, as we all experience similar things.  

It has been a time when we have had more time at home than ever, and as such, people are getting through their to-do list much more than they would ever have time for normally. The amount of deep cleaning that will have happened in homes, and the drawers and cabinets that will have been decluttered is probably also an unprecedented number! As such, it makes us think about what we are going to do with all of the waste and declutter, how we’ll get rid of it, and how we can go forward being more positive to the environment, as it has had some time to heal. Here are some things to think about.

Start Composting

As a result of staying at home rather than eating out, you will have been cooking so much more. As a result, you’re likely to have more food waste, from leftovers to vegetable choppings and egg shells. Composting organic waste is something that has a number of benefits for the environment. It helps to return nutrients to the soil, as well as helping to lower greenhouse gasses. When you do it at home, it can also help because it will avoid the disposal systems that come with landfill. So if you’re at home now, and going forward, start to compost. You can buy a container to do it indoors, as well as use an outside space if you have one.

Decluttering, Reusing, and Recycling

When you are in lockdown at home, it seems like a good time to declutter and organise, which is what many people will have been doing. It can be quite therapeutic so can work wonders for your well-being. As you do this, though, it is important to think about what could have a use doing something else, or could be reused in some way or given away. When you finish your decluttering, you need to make sure that you are disposing of things in the right way, if they can’t be used in another way. Looking into local recycling facilities is important, but check what they can take, from scrap metal to broken appliances. Don’t just dump something, without first checking that it is going to be of use. You should sort recycling correctly too, otherwise it can mean that some things can’t be recycled after all.

Support Your Local Community

Having local shops and businesses up and running is important. Not only for the local area, but the people in it. Shopping locally can help to create sustainability for the planet, and help businesses to reduce their carbon footprint. In times like these, we’re more likely to see more local businesses suffering as they haven’t got the finances to keep going without customers. So see what you can do to help, and by supporting local and shopping with them.