Reduce your waste

An older person is using a screwdriver on a lawnmower, there are tools on the bench next to the mower

By reducing your waste, you help prevent pollution, protect the environment, and conserve natural resources. You also limit the amount of waste sent to landfill, save money, and support a circular economy — where materials are reused and kept in use for as long as possible.

To avoid waste, start by:

  • only buying items when you really need them
  • avoiding single-use items - choose reusable versions instead
  • buying items with less packaging
  • buying household items (including electronics) that are higher in quality and last longer.

Avoid food waste

  • Make a ‘use it up’ shelf or container in the fridge and pantry to make is easy to see what needs eating up first. Visit OzHarvest for tips.
  • Check you are storing your fresh produce correctly. Visit Sustainability Victoria's guide for storing fresh produce.
  • See Sustainability Victoria's advice on how to avoid food waste at home.

Avoid single use items

  • Replace single-use items like coffee cups, water bottles and cutlery with reusable versions
  • Buy food and cleaning products in bulk
  • Use your own reusable bags or containers
  • Use reusable nappies and menstrual products

Buy, donate and sell second-hand items 

Before you buy or dispose of items, check local charities and online communities for places to sell or giveaway your item. Here are some options to consider, or search for your own.

Donate to a local op shop or community group. Call first for bulky items.

Op shops:

  • Combined Churches of Eltham - 810 Main Road Eltham
  • Brotherhood of St Laurence - 10 Arthur Street Eltham
  • Austin Health - 42-44 Main Hurstbridge Road Diamond Creek
  • Hurstbridge Op-Shop - 960 Heidelberg-Kinglake Road Hurstbridge
  • Savers - Shop 7, 108-114 Main Street Greensborough
  • Brotherhood of St Laurence - Rear Shop 6, 106 Main Street Greensborough
  • Rotary Op Shop - 246 Yarra Street Warrandyte
  • Lions Op Shop - 168 Yarra Street Warrandyte

Visit the Reuse Shop at the Nillumbik Recycling Centre - 290 Yan Yean Road Plenty

Contact or visit a Community Shed - in Eltham and Hurstbridge

Other online communities and websites:

Try buying and selling second-hand fashion online using Depop.

Share or borrow items 

Instead of buying new toys, visit: 

Borrow reusable party decorations instead of buying disposable ones. Visit Party Kit Network in Hurstbridge to find out more.  

Checkout My Shed - rent household items to and from neighbours.

Repair your item 

Avoid items going to landfill or recycling by extending their life. Try repairing broken items instead of replacing them.

Take your broken items to a repair cafe near you. A repair cafe is a place you can bring your broken stuff to receive a new lease on life. Skilled volunteers perform simple repairs at various community hubs around Melbourne. It's also a great way to interact with your local community.  

Visit the repair cafe websites for event times and information: 

  • Nillumbik Repair Cafe in Hurstbridge
  • Warrandyte Repair Café
  • Greensborough Repair Cafe
  • Mernda Repair Cafe
  • Edendale Repair Cafe in Eltham 

A to Z guide

For items that are not reusable or can’t find a home, visit the A to Z of waste and recycling.

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