Just how eco-friendly is your waste disposal unit?
Blogger Kate Hall lives and breathes ethical living. Here she answers some of your questions about how to live a greener existence.
How do I renovate sustainably and economically? – Sue Caddie, Waikuku Beach.
If you do things right, and have enough time, renovating sustainably and economically will go hand-in-hand. First, recycle and reuse. Hunt for materials on Trade Me and second-hand Facebook pages, sort through your local junk yard and second-hand shop, and ask friends and family.
You never know what someone else didn’t end up using in their own renovations. It’s best for the planet to use up what already exists, rather than let those materials go to waste.
When renovating, consider smart insulation systems that keep heat in your home to lower your electricity bill, use ecofriendly paints, encourage natural lighting, consider solar panels, and decorate with preloved furniture. A sustainable and economical renovation is definitely possible, but understand that it will take more planning and time.
Where do I find reusable nappies I can trust? – Jenny Boyd, Wellington.
For families with children, using reusable nappies instead of disposable nappies will have the biggest positive impact on your household waste. Unfortunately, cloth nappies still have a reputation problem. Many still think they leak and are difficult to use, but don’t be put off.
Cloth nappy technology has developed rapidly in the past 20 years. They’re now super easy to put on, colourful, patterned, and leak free. Although I don’t have a
need for them in my own life just yet, I have heard rave reviews about Bear & Moo, Fudge Pants, and Tweedle.
If you’re still sceptical and want to try before you buy, there’s a brilliant Facebook group called Raising Ziggy Cloth Nappy – Pay it Forward.
Here, you can sign up to be sent free second-hand reusable nappies. Are waste disposals eco friendly or not? – Sophie, Christchurch. Like many eco topics, there is no simple answer. The environmental impact of your waste disposal will depend on where your water waste goes after it leaves your sink. Some water plants despise waste disposers as they clog pipes. If the wrong items enter the waste disposer, they contaminate treatment plants and interfere with their systems.
The food build-up can become so much that they have to scrape it out and put the food into landfill anyway.
Other opinions are positive – they remove food waste from landfills and the vegetable waste from waste disposers helps to stop the formation of fatbergs – large balls of cooking oils, soap chunks, and other absorbent items. It’s suggested that the vegetable pieces stick to the oil particles, and reduce the chance of fatbergs developing and clogging water waste systems.
Ultimately, the best option is to compost your waste.