Can a Household Successfully Achieve Zero Waste to Landfill?

Achieving zero waste to landfill is a challenging but increasingly important goal for households looking to reduce their environmental impact. It involves a commitment to minimising waste generation, maximising recycling and composting efforts, and exploring innovative ways to repurpose or reuse items that otherwise end up in landfills.

Households should begin by conducting a waste audit to understand their current waste generation patterns and identify areas for improvement. This can help them set specific goals and targets for reducing waste and increasing recycling rates. Implementing a comprehensive waste management system that includes separate bins for recyclables, compostables, and general waste can make diverting materials from the landfill easier.

Not all items can be recycled

Reducing waste at the source is the best way to achieve zero waste in landfills. This can involve making conscious consumer choices, such as opting for products with minimal packaging, buying in bulk to reduce packaging waste, and choosing reusable items over single-use alternatives. Repairing items instead of discarding them and supporting secondhand markets can also help extend the lifespan of products and reduce waste.

Educating household members about the importance of waste reduction and recycling is essential for creating a culture of sustainability within the home. Engaging in community initiatives, such as neighbourhood clean-ups or local recycling programs, can also contribute to collective efforts to achieve zero waste goals.

How can manufacturers and retailers help consumers achieve zero waste in landfills?

Manufacturers and retailers have a crucial role in assisting consumers in achieving the zero-waste-to-landfill challenges. They can design products with sustainability in mind, using materials that are easily recyclable or biodegradable. By implementing eco-friendly practices in the production processes, manufacturers can significantly reduce the amount of waste generated by each household.

Additionally, retailers play a vital role in promoting sustainable consumption habits among consumers. They can educate customers on the importance of reducing waste and provide options for environmentally friendly products. Retailers can also implement take-back programs or incentivise customers to recycle or return products at the end of their lifecycle.

Collaboration between manufacturers and retailers is key to creating a circular economy where products are designed to be reused, recycled, or composted. By working together, they can develop innovative solutions to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency. Ultimately, manufacturers and retailers can contribute significantly to a more sustainable future for our planet by aligning their efforts towards zero waste to landfill.

Pick n Pay E-waste Bin

How can governments help consumers achieve zero waste in landfills?

One of the ways governments can assist consumers in achieving zero waste to landfill is by implementing comprehensive recycling programs. These programs should not only focus on traditional materials like paper, plastic, and glass but also include electronic and organic waste.

Governments can make it easier for consumers to dispose of their waste properly by providing clear guidelines and accessible recycling facilities. Furthermore, governments can incentivise businesses to reduce their waste production by offering tax breaks or subsidies to implement sustainable practices. This can encourage companies to adopt eco-friendly packaging, reduce single-use plastics, and invest in recycling technologies.

Education is a crucial component of the government's support for zero-waste-to-landfill initiatives. By raising awareness about the environmental impact of waste and providing resources on how to reduce, reuse, and recycle, governments can empower consumers to make more sustainable choices in their daily lives.

A good example of government intervention is the banning of using thin plastic grocery bags in Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, and Kenya, where a tariff has been added to make these bags no longer free, while Rwanda and Somalia have implemented a complete ban on all plastic bags. China has also started to limit the use of plastic bags domestically.

It is anticipated that our government will soon choose to completely ban plastic bags, as imposing tariffs on them has not effectively deterred their usage. Consumers continue to buy these taxed plastic shopping bags despite the charges. Furthermore, it is unclear what happens to the funds collected from the sale of these plastic shopping bags.

Doing a waste audit for our personal zero-waste-to-landfill initiative

The Wise Owl Lifestyle's recycling initiative involves recycling glass, paper, cardboard, tetra packs (milk cartons), tinned goods, and any plastic recycling facilities accept. Additionally, composting is a priority, with most vegetable scraps and peels placed in a Bokashi composting bin. E-waste is recycled when items are no longer used, broken, or dysfunctional, while reparable items are frequently given to those who can use them. Batteries for household use are handed in and recycled at Woolworths Stores.

Our weekly black bags can typically hold any of the following items that we are currently unable to recycle:

• Broken glass or ceramic items

• Bones and excess fat from meat products (Cooked inedible products)

• Tin foil and baking paper/sheets

• Tea bags (tea leaves removed and composted)

• Chip packets and sweet wrappers

• Styrofoam from meat packaging

• Stickers and labels from glass products

• Unsuitable for recycling plastic wrappers from food items

• Lightbulbs

• Broken wooden furniture or utensils

• Used cotton wool or plasters

• Avocado pear seeds and other stone fruit (drupe) seeds (e.g. peaches, plums, ...)

• Medication blister packs and insulin pens (Needles recycled at the local pharmacy)

• Corn cobs (not suitable for composting)

• Cucumber wrappers

• Most fast-food boxes and tomato/vinegar sachets

• Paper towels and cling wrap ... and others

Images of items that are frequently sent to landfill.

Do you know which items last the longest in landfills?

We are running low on space to dispose of our waste, but what items take the most time to break down? These items should be reduced or recycled as much as possible!

1. Glass bottles take around one million years to break down

2. Plastic bottles take around 450 years to break down

3. Disposable nappies take around 450 years to break down

4. Plastic bags take between 200-500 years to break down

5. Aluminium cans take between 70-200 years to break down

6. Rubber-soled shoes take between 50-80 years to break down

7. Tin cans take around 50 years to break down

8. Clothes take around 40 years to break down

9. Plastic film takes between 20-30 years to break down

10. Paper coffee cups take around 20 years to break down

    
    

Conclusion

It is important to note that while larger cities often have many recycling facilities, many smaller towns in our country do not have a single recycling business. As a result, all waste in these areas is sent to landfills, meaning residents cannot recycle.

Achieving zero waste to landfill may seem like a challenging goal, but it is attainable with commitment, perseverance, and a willingness to adopt sustainable practices. By gradually implementing measures to reduce waste and improving recycling initiatives, households can significantly impact the environment and contribute to a more sustainable future for generations to come. The essential roles of governments, manufacturers, and retailers in achieving zero waste to landfill cannot be overstated. A collaborative effort from all parties involved will be necessary to reach this goal.

Sources:

1. Top 10: What are the longest lasting landfill items?

2. Plastic recycling symbols and their meanings