March is a month of environmental action: from World Wildlife Day and World Water Day to the International Day of Forests and Earth Hour, we are reminded that every choice we make affects the planet.
The need for action is real. Consider these facts:
South Africa generated 55 million tonnes of general waste in 2017, with 89% landfilled.
- In the same year, almost 67 million tonnes of hazardous waste were generated, of which about 93% was landfilled.
- About one-third of food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted.
- Pollution of the coastline and oceans by tiny pieces of plastic has a severe, widespread impact on marine biodiversity.
- Most municipalities find it too difficult or costly to implement integrated waste management systems.
- There is a great need for behavioural and attitudinal shifts regarding litter and illegal dumping.
Fortunately, we have the power to make choices that help both the planet and our household finances, says head of customer experience at JustMoney, Sarah Nicholson.
“The majority of respondents (61%) in our recent survey, Money & Me, find every single month financially difficult and are nervous or worried about their income.
“The good news is that by making small changes when shopping, at home, and at work, we can help protect the environment – and keep more cash in our pockets.”
JustMoney offers the following 20 tips:
Refuse – say no to waste
- Avoid single-use plastics and disposable cups.
2. Avoid excessive packaging.
3. Skip freebies you don’t need, from pens to promotional items.
4. Borrow or rent items you need for a short period, such as baby carriers, car seats, and prams
Reduce – consume less, save more
5. Plan meals to reduce expired groceries.
6. Buy in bulk or choose loose items to cut costs and packaging waste.
7. Switch off lights and appliances when not in use.
8. Save water by taking shorter showers and fixing leaks.
9. Reuse your bath and sink water (greywater) and harvest rainwater.
10. Make simple, effective cleaning products with basic ingredients such as lemon, vinegar, and bicarbonate of soda.
11. Print and photocopy on both sides of paper.
Reuse/repair – extend the life of what you own
12. Shop for second-hand clothes, furniture, large appliances, and books.
13. Repair broken items instead of replacing them, and mend clothes.
14. Repurpose plastic or cardboard containers for storage or DIY projects.
15. Donate items you no longer need, giving them a second life while decluttering.
16. Reuse plastic grocery bags, or invest in durable cloth shopping bags.
17. Repurpose worn T-shirts as cleaning cloths.
Recycle/compost – turn waste into value
18. Separate recyclables such as paper, plastic, and glass. Drop items off at municipal and non-profit recycling sites, or have them collected from your home or office.
19. Compost food scraps and garden waste to reduce refuse and create nutrient-rich soil for your pot plants or garden.
20. Recycle e-waste and batteries responsibly to limit environmental hazards.
“When you waste less energy, water, food, and materials, you’re not only reducing your impact on the environment but also stretching your money. Daily choices at home and work can add up to meaningful savings and a smaller carbon footprint,” says Nicholson.
Recycling contacts:
- Mpact Recycling has 14 operations in major centres nationwide and partners with over 40 buy-back centres. https://mpactrecycling.co.za/about/mpact-recycling
- Oasis Association in Cape Town accepts tins, paper, glass bottles, and jars, and sells cardboard boxes, glass jars, and shredded egg boxes (ideal for animal bedding, composting, and packaging). Oasis also sells donated clothing, books, art, bric-a-brac, and furniture. https://www.oasis.org.za/recycling/
- Petco lists recycling drop-off sites, buy-back centres and collection services.https://petco.co.za/find-a-drop-off-site/
