Tips for going waste-free

Reducing your waste can be done with a little forethought — and forthrightness — in rejecting excess packaging. Timi Nicholson from Simplenowastelife.com says: “I agree this can be overwhelming. Convenience is something we value a lot. I had to re-learn how I cook. Before, in winter, I would empty a plastic bag of salad into a bowl — now I make winter salads from beetroot and carrot.”

Here are some other simple tips…

● Visit recyclinglistireland.ie to see what to put in your green bin.

● Don’t throw everything plastic out. Wait until you absolutely have to replace something for the Zero Waste option.

● If you don’t have a brown bin, consider a compost bin (right) or see if a local allotment will take your food waste.

● When shopping online, ask for reduced packaging.

● Keep jars and plastic food containers for storage, instead of using cling film and tin foil. Cotton bags are good for perishables, visit littlegreenshop.ie.

● Reuse what you can before disposing of it.

● There’s no law to stop a deli or butchery counter putting cheese, meat and fish into your own container, so you don’t have to ditch your supermarket.

● Accept there will be concessions: you won’t be able to do everything at once. Timi admits: “I have a toddler and wouldn’t like to be driving around all day doing my shopping because I would like to be with him playing.”

● If you don’t live near a Zero Waste centre, visit minimalwastegrocery.com and lillysecoclean.com.