Keeping your house clean of waste and organised at all times can be overwhelming, especially when living with family or friends. Between work, hobbies, and spending time with family, sometimes allocating time for daily cleaning seems too much.Β
However, managing waste and recycling can be time-consuming and confusing beyond cleaning. Many people are now aware of their cityβs recycling initiatives, while others simply donβt understand them. In the UK, only 44% of households recycle their waste accordingly, as the rate has slowly declined compared to previous years.
Managing house waste is important for the environment and for the sake of our homes. If not handled properly, waste can become hazardous. So, hereβs how to manage it.
Image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/yellow-crumpled-papers-Kr8Tc8Rugdk
Learn how to separate waste
Waste separation seems easy at first glance, but it can be challenging. You could start by keeping different containers for wet and dry waste in rooms where a considerable amount of waste is generated. For example, you could use a white kitchen bin for dry waste, such as paper and plastics, but make sure to put them in different bags.
Itβs best to separate and manage this waste as soon as it enters the house. If youβve ordered takeout and received it in plastic containers, clean it before throwing it in the trash bin. This ensures the waste is collected appropriately and keeps bad odours and pests away from the house.
Wet waste is another issue that can be tackled through composting. Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells break down well in an appropriate place, and you can use them as natural plant fertilisers. You could opt for a black kitchen bin to differentiate waste efficiently and be more hygienic around the kitchen.
Reduce plastic in your home
Plastic is one of the biggest contributors to waste and climate change, although itβs a highly efficient material for endless purposes. However, plastic is everywhere around us, and you can minimise its usage by avoiding disposable cutlery or any other type of product.Β
You could also shop for products with little to no plastic packaging, especially since some products have a lot of excess plastic. In addition, choosing reusable items instead of plastic-based ones, such as water bottles and shopping bags, can help cut junk around the house in an instant.
However, reducing the amount of plastic in your house can also be done by reusing it. Adopting new habits doesnβt mean throwing out every bit of plastic in the house, so before disposing of it correctly, make sure it can be used up to its full damage.
Consider buying in bulk
Many products come in smaller quantities, but if youβve got a bigger family or simply prefer to do less shopping, you could try buying products in bulk, from food to personal hygiene items. Buying in bulk not only minimises waste but also helps save money in the long run due to a lower cost per unit.
If you live alone, you could split bulk purchases. This works well if you have limited space in the house or cannot carry bulk packages of rice or other non-perishable foods. You could also buy paper towels, batteries, or vitamins in bulk.
Buying in bulk can also help you make more conscious choices about your consumption. Food waste is a serious problem, with the UK throwing about 9.5 million tonnes of food away yearly. Food waste includes expired produce, leftovers, and even packaged products.
Do a thorough cleaning around the house more frequently
Sometimes, our house is full of junk, even though itβs been kept clean. It can happen to gather too many things in cupboards, drawers, and other places, especially after some time of revising their interior. If you have a better image of whatβs around the house, you can quickly get rid of such items by donating or selling them if theyβre not of use anymore.
Most people clean their house twice a year, which is sufficient if you allocate a few hours to analyse whatβs around the house. If youβve got too many clothes that donβt fit you anymore or simply wonβt wear them, make sure to donate or recycle them. On the other hand, too many appliances take up space, so look for the closest electrical recycling spot to your house.
Of course, biannual deep cleaning means you keep the house in check on a daily basis. Routine cleaning means vacuuming, wiping down surfaces, and mopping frequently to prevent build-up.
How can you live more sustainably?
Besides having a clutter-free and shiny house, dealing with junk and plastic can be seen as a way to live a sustainable and mindful life. For instance, you could start buying organic produce from real markets instead of mass shopping sites. This also supports the industry and farmers but significantly cuts down the amount of plastic you use. Moreover, youβre eating healthier since mass-market produce is prone to harmful pesticides and herbicides.
Switching from fast-fashion clothing to more sustainable brands is also ideal. Of course, the main problem is the high upfront cost, but if we compare the expenses, buying cheap fast-fashion costs more than purchasing a few qualitative garments. Sustainable fashion teaches us how to love wearing our clothes again beyond trends that change monthly.
Finally, educating yourself on the matter is always a good idea for improving your life. Making such an important change in your lifestyle can be challenging, but it will support better health and more satisfaction with consumption. Companies market products and services to make them appealing, but itβs often that we donβt need them that much.
What do you think about managing the waste in your home?
Home waste management seems pretty straightforward β whatβs not to be used goes in the bin. However, improper waste management contributes to landfills and climate change, as seen in the bigger picture. At a smaller level, all this waste only makes our house more disorganised and hazardous, so itβs best to manage it properly. This means separating waste, buying in bulk, and trying to live more sustainably.
