Waste management, whether in developed or developing countries, is a big issue.
And it’s no secret that millions of tons of household waste are generated each year in Australia, only to aggravate the problem. But this doesn’t mean that you can start dumping it in the first landfill that you come across.
Improper waste disposal can have detrimental effects on the community, environment, and even your own health. Moreover, a lot of things that you consider “waste” can be reused in multiple ways to save you from the hassle of buying new things.
That’s why we have curated this guide featuring 7 ways to eliminate the waste piling up in your house. Let’s dive in, then!
7 Responsible Ways To Get Rid Of Junk From The House
1. Walk Down The DIY Path
One of the best ways to get rid of your household waste is by transforming them into something usable. Although we may sound contradicting, this is what many people choose to do for achieving a clutter-free house. And even if you aren’t a pro-DIY-er and don’t like working with heavy tools and equipment, there are several projects that will suit your expertise.
For instance, if you have old, worn-out cloth bags or towels, consider turning them into bathroom rags or cozy bed sheets for your furry friends. Trust us – it’ll be a fun weekend activity to do with your family members and kids.
Simply cut them into the required shapes and sizes, and sew the sides to prevent fraying. Feel free to express the artist in you by decorating it with laces, frills, or other such add-ons. If you feel that the fabric is too thin, sew on multiple pieces to achieve the required thickness.
Alternatively, you can donate them to any animal shelter, but make sure that they are clean and in good condition.
2. Donate To Local Charities
We often end up with clothes, toys, bags, and shoes that aren’t used as often simply because they have become old. In fact, we can bet that if you start searching the wardrobe right now, you may well find old items that are as good as new! And the best way to “recycle” them is by donating to a local charity. Moreover, you can visit the streets in your neighbourhood to find donation boxes for the purpose.
Many charities also accept donations in the form of electronic appliances, furniture, and other similar large items, which can be dropped off at a collection centre. So, you may need to invest some energy in locating one in the vicinity, but the effort will be worth it. After all, what can be better than not contributing to the landfill, right?
3. Put Up A Garage Sale
Garage sales are a popular way to eliminate household clutter without throwing away your old stuff in the garbage while making some extra money at the same time. All you have to do is sort the usable items and put them up for sale in your garage or yard. Furthermore, you can diversify the sale by including everything from clothes and electronics to even old magazines.
In this regard, we’d suggest informing the neighbourhood at least a week in advance and seeking necessary permissions, if applicable.
Now, if all this sounds like too much work, then you can resort to selling items online; there are multiple websites and applications that allow users to upload pictures of their old stuff. A pro tip: upload high-quality images and add a detailed description to increase your chances of making the sale.
4. Reach Out To The Local Recycling Centre
If you don’t have the time to recycle old items at home, then we’d suggest contacting a local recycling centre to get the job done. Many people prefer getting items made from conserved metal or glass recycled by professionals, which ensures the environmentally responsible disposal of “rubbish” and plays a major role in preventing landfill pollution. Besides, you can recycle materials like foam, fibres, and renovation waste as well.
One thing to keep in mind is that not every recycling centre specialises in all types of recycling. So, it’d be a good idea to get in touch with your local council to know more about them.
5. Proper Disposal Of Hazardous Waste
Hazardous waste, whether solid (like batteries) or liquid (like motor oil and chemically-loaded plant care products), should never be disposed of with your regular trash. That’s why it’s important for homeowners and business owners to identify the hazardous waste collection and treatment facilities in the vicinity.
6. Giving Away Your Old Stuff
If you’re left with excess old stuff even after a successful garage sale, then simply replace the “sale” sign with a “free” sign! This will help you de-clutter the home (or office space) further, giving you the satisfaction of helping someone in need. Sounds way better than throwing them away and polluting the environment, doesn’t it?
7. Call A Junk Removal Service
A junk removal company is the best bait to dispose of waste when you don’t have the time, energy, or resources to do it on your own. From disposing of gardening waste to old furniture, most junk removal services in your area should be equipped to deal with them all. So, contact them in advance to confirm that they can meet your requirements.
Conclusion
On that note, it’s time for us to wrap up today’s guide.
But before we leave, we’d advise our readers to adopt practices that will reduce waste generation from the get-go. For instance, you can reuse paper and plastic bags or carry cloth bags to stores while shopping for groceries.
Likewise, always opt for minimal packaging options when buying larger items like furniture or appliances if feasible. And always avoid using single-use plastic waste.
We will now leave you to pick one (or more) of our tips to ensure proper waste disposal. Until next time!
