One week, one container of waste ... can you do it?

Published: 15 August 2022

How much waste can you contain in one week?

In support of this year’s Keep Australia Beautiful Week, the Eurobodalla Shire Council is calling on residents to put their waste habits to the test.

From August 15 - 21, the challenge is to choose an existing container from around your house – a jar, tub, or bucket – and contain your week’s waste to the capacity of that container.

Council’s waste project officer Mel Norman said 1.1 million tonnes of Australian packaging hit our supermarket shelves last year, with only 16 percent of that being diverted to recycling.

“So much more could be recycled or simply avoided,” Ms Norman said.

“If you don’t buy products with plastic packaging, manufacturers will get the message.”

Here’s some tips to contain your waste:

  1. When shopping, spend your money on products with low or no packaging.
  2. Make a shopping list and don’t over buy.
  3. Don’t overcook and stick to a meal plan.
  4. Make sure you don’t put food waste in your red bin - compost it, put it in your garden or give it to your chickens.
    To learn more about composting and worm farming, sign up to a free workshop this November.

If you’re unsure what waste goes where, check out Council’s A-Z guide to see what can be recycled or recovered:

Don’t miss out on Council news and events, subscribe to our monthly email newsletter.