Organic waste generates methane as it breaks down in landfill. Methane is a potent carbon dioxide and equivalent emission (CO2e). In the ACT, household waste in landfill generates around 300 kilograms of CO2e per person per year. As well as direct emissions, landfill is a waste of the embedded energy and CO2e that went into creating the item in the first place.
Food, paper and garden waste generate the most direct landfill emissions. Here's how you can cut back.
Paper and cardboard. Sort recyclables inside so they don't end up in the rubbish bin outside. Put paper, cardboard, boxes and empty food packaging like liquid paperboard, pizza boxes and food wrappers in your yellow-topped recycling bin. Used tissues and paper towel can't go in the recycling bin, so compost them at home or use hankies and cloths instead.
Food waste. The average ACT household generates 180 kilograms of food waste each year. Until government brings out a food waste recycling bin, you have to solve this problem yourself. Buy, cook and serve less food. Don't over-cater because it doesn't impress us, it only makes our bellies hurt. Plan meals ahead. Cook last week's produce in a soup or curry and check what you already have before buying more. You'll still have some inedible food scraps, but most of these can go into a backyard or benchtop composter or feed chickens or worms.
Garden waste. Compost it on-site or opt-in for a government Green Bin.
THIS IS THE THIRD OF TEN INSTALLATIONS AT 'ART, NOT APART 2019'.
CAN YOU FIND NINE MORE HIDDEN AROUND THE FESTIVAL?
Lego kindly on loan from The Green Shed.
Data and sources are here. See also Blog Posts for Weeks Two, Three and Four.