Small choices, big impact on the planet

Last month, the focus was on environmental action, from World Wildlife Day and World Water Day to the International Day of Forests and Earth Hour, which was also observed on the West Rand.

Residents are thus reminded that every choice they make affects the planet, according to financial services company JustMoney.

According to Sarah Nicholson, head of customer experience at JustMoney, the need for action is real.

Consider these facts:
• South Africa generated 55 million tonnes of general waste in 2017, with 89% of it 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 coastlines and oceans by tiny plastic particles has a severe and widespread impact on marine biodiversity
• Most municipalities find it too difficult or costly to implement integrated waste management systems
• There is a strong 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. The majority of respondents (61%) in our recent Money & Me survey find every 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 money in our pockets,” advised Nicholson.

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JustMoney offers the following 20 tips:

Refuse – say no to waste
• Avoid single-use plastics and disposable cups
• Avoid excessive packaging
• Skip freebies you don’t need, from pens to promotional items
• Borrow or rent items you only need for a short time, such as baby carriers, car seats and prams

Reduce – consume less, save more
• Plan meals to reduce expired groceries
• Buy in bulk or choose loose items to reduce costs and packaging waste
• Switch off lights and appliances when not in use
• Save water by taking shorter showers and fixing leaks
• Reuse bath and sink water (greywater) and harvest rainwater
• Make simple cleaning products using ingredients such as lemon, vinegar and bicarbonate of soda
• Print and photocopy on both sides of paper

Reuse/repair – extend the life of what you own
• Shop second-hand for clothes, furniture, appliances and books
• Repair broken items instead of replacing them, and mend clothes
• Repurpose plastic or cardboard containers for storage or DIY projects
• Donate items you no longer need to give them a second life and declutter
• Reuse plastic grocery bags or invest in durable cloth shopping bags
• Repurpose old T-shirts as cleaning cloths

Recycle/compost – turn waste into value
• Separate recyclables such as paper, plastic and glass. Drop them off at municipal and non-profit recycling sites, or arrange collection from home or office
• Compost food scraps and garden waste to reduce refuse and create nutrient-rich soil for gardens or pot plants
• Recycle e-waste and batteries responsibly to reduce 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,” concluded 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
• Petco lists recycling drop-off sites, buy-back centres and collection services: https://petco.co.za/find-a-drop-off-site/