Sustainability

Nowadays, most people are aware of the interconnection between climate change and sustainability. Governments and industries around the world are setting ambitious targets to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions through sustainability strategies. However, industrial and regulatory measures alone will not be effective without consumer involvement. Our consumption choices, behaviours, and decisions have the biggest impact on greenhouse gas emissions.

Making informed decisions and implementing the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle in our daily lives can help preserve our planet for future generations. On this page, we discuss the small and big steps we can take as consumers to mitigate our negative impact on the environment:

Household footprint reduction through optimised energy and water consumption and waste management.
Implementing reduce, reuse, and recycle principles while using various products and technologies.
Making informed purchase decisions to support sustainability.
Smart waste management and recycling at home.
FAQs and myths around sustainable behaviors.

Sunscreens

In countries like Australia and New Zealand, where the UV index can often be extreme, sunscreens are as essential as water. While they protect our skin from UV damage and benefit overall health, large volumes of sunscreens are washed into the ocean when we swim or dive. Some active ingredients, like Oxybenzone, can impact marine ecosystems and contribute to coral bleaching. Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is particularly vulnerable.

However, we can minimize the negative impact of sunscreens on the environment by taking the following steps:

Check the claims and opt for “Reef-safe” sunscreens.
Preferably use creams instead of sprays. Sprays often miss our skin, fall to the sand, and can be washed into the ocean later.
Look for water-resistant sunscreens. Though not waterproof, these products are formulated to adhere to the skin and maintain effectiveness even when exposed to water.
Always read the label and use the sunscreen as recommended by the manufacturer. Correct application will minimise wash-off and provide better UV protection.
Consider protecting yourself with hats, shirts, and other apparel when possible.

Shower Habits

According to research by the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures (https://www.uts.edu.au/isf/news/electrifying-australias-domestic-hot-water), domestic hot water use is responsible for around one-fifth of Australian residential greenhouse gas emissions and a quarter of current household energy use. In Australia, yearly CO2 emissions from hot showers range between 160 and 245 kg per person (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319095294_Carbon_Dioxide_Reduction_Targets_of_Hot_Water_Showers_for_People_in_Hong_Kong). These significant numbers can be reduced with small changes in our daily shower habits. Many people will not notice any difference if the shower temperature is decreased by just 1ºC. However, this change can significantly benefit the environment by reducing carbon dioxide emissions if we all do our part.

In addition to lowering water temperature, other measures can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while taking a shower:

Reduce your shower time.
Take a shower instead of a bath.
Turn off the tap while lathering.
Install shower thermostatic mixers to pre-set and control the water temperature.
Consider using eco-friendly shower heads to save water and energy.

Coffee Cups

Australians throw out 2.7 million single-use or disposable coffee cups every single day (http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/). This results in huge waste volumes going to landfills, contaminating streets, and waterways. However, with some simple actions, we can minimise the impact of coffee cups on the environment:

Start using reusable coffee mugs. Avoiding disposable cups is the most sustainable option. It is not only good for the environment but can also save you money (many coffee shops offer a small discount if you bring your own cup) and keep your drink hot for longer.
Look into the Simply Cups recycling program (http://www.simplycups.com.au/). This initiative collects coffee cups for recycling using innovative technologies. Currently, there are 1,545 locations around Australia where you can bring coffee cups. Many shopping centres and service stations are among the collection locations. It is also possible to set up free collections at your workplace.
Do not dispose of single-use coffee cups in kerbside recycling bins. This may contaminate the recycled material and reduce its quality.
Preferably, even compostable coffee cups should be avoided because, in reality, they are rarely composted due to complicated logistics and limitations of Australian facilities.

Environmental and Sustainability Claims

Greenwashing, where companies make false claims about the environmental benefits of their products, is done for marketing purposes to attract environmentally conscious customers. As consumers, we need to be vigilant and support responsible businesses that tell their true environmental stories:

Look for claims that are simple to understand, backed with evidence, precise, and measurable. For example, the claim “made from 80% recycled materials” is better than just “contains recycled materials.” Other examples of accurate claims include: “made from 100% organic materials,” “phosphate-free,” “made from organic cotton,” “breaks down within 3 months in a composting facility,” “VOC-free paint,” “plant-based fertiliser,” “made from 100% recycled ocean plastic,” and “FSC certified furniture".
Broad claims like “Green,” “Environmentally friendly,” or “Eco-friendly” are very vague and do not explain real benefits. According to Australian Consumer Law, such claims “could potentially mislead consumers into thinking that the product causes no harm to the environment in its production, usage, and disposal. Few, if any, products could make this claim. Almost all products have some adverse impact on the environment in their manufacture, packaging, use, or disposal.”
The recycling symbol (Mobius loop) does not mean that empty packaging can go in kerbside recycling bins. This symbol can be confusing for consumers as it indicates that the product can be recycled, but local councils may not accept it due to recycling facility limitations. The number inside the triangle logo indicates the grade of plastics, and it should be checked with the council whether it is accepted for recycling or not.
Consider products with credible third-party certification labels such as Energy Star, COSMOS Ecocert, Forest Stewardship Council, Global Organic Textile Standard, Greenguard, Made Safe, and GECA ecolabels. The meaning and benefits of different global ecolabels are explained here: https://www.ecolabelindex.com/ecolabels/.

Household Chemicals

Hard surface cleaners, laundry detergents, dishwashing products, fabric softeners, disinfectants, bleaches, paints, solvents, lubricants, cosmetics, toiletries, and other chemical products may eventually find their way down the drain or directly into the environment. Although modern wastewater treatment facilities can remove most of the chemicals before water is discharged into our waterways, some remaining chemicals may still harm the environment. Packaging waste can also contaminate ecosystems. We can minimise the impact of household chemicals on the environment by following some easy rules:

Consider products with credible third-party ecolabels, such as Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA).
To reduce packaging waste and greenhouse gas emissions during transportation, choose compacted and concentrated products. For example, you can get cleaner A, which should be used as is without dilution, or cleaner B, which is a 10X concentrate and should be diluted with water prior to use. Opting for product B results in 10 times less packaging waste and reduces the product’s carbon footprint.
Consider using refills. Many household chemicals like hard surface cleaners, liquid soap, body wash, and shampoos are available in refillable bottles.
Buy products designed to use in cold water to save energy.
Always read the label and strictly follow the use, storage, and disposal instructions. Some household chemicals should be handled using personal protective equipment like gloves or goggles.
Dispose of empty packaging and unused chemicals in line with applicable local regulations. Many councils organise special CleanOut events to safely collect household chemicals.
Buy products in recyclable packaging and with high recycled content.
Never mix different chemicals unless the label instructs you to do so.
Do not overdose. Some consumers believe they get better results by using more laundry detergent in a washing machine. In reality, the effect may be the opposite, resulting in visible residues on textiles, increased water and energy consumption, and accelerated washing machine wear and tear.
Choose reusable microfibre for hard surface cleaning. This helps achieve better results and reduces chemical consumption.
Do not use expired chemical products.

Batteries

We all use batteries to power electronic devices, and they play a vital role in our everyday lives. However, because batteries use chemical reactions to work, they should be handled with caution as they can sometimes leak, burst, heat up, catch fire, or even explode. Improper handling and disposal of batteries can release toxic substances into the soil and water. To prevent environmental pollution, it is important to implement some responsible practices:

When possible, use rechargeable batteries instead of single-use ones. This will significantly reduce the environmental impact as fewer batteries will be disposed of. It will also save you money in the long run.
Do not mix old and new batteries or batteries with different chemistries in the same device.
Never put used batteries in your recycling or waste bin. Batteries can only be recycled by specialised centers. It takes around 100 years for batteries to decompose in landfills, creating environmental contamination and fire risks.
Tape battery leads prior to disposal – they still contain residual charge that may create a spark, resulting in fire.
Do not accumulate used batteries at home as this can cause fires and health issues due to chemical exposure.
Bring your old batteries to household hazardous waste collection points. Many retailers like Bunnings, Woolworths, Aldi, Officeworks, and IKEA have their own recycling programs where you can drop off batteries in collection boxes next time you shop.
Always use batteries responsibly, following the manufacturer’s recommendations and electronic device manuals.

Microplastics

Microplastics are plastic particles between 5 millimetres and 100 nanometres in diameter. They can originate from many products we use, such as cosmetics, coatings, synthetic textiles, vehicle tyres, and packaging. Microplastics have been detected in human blood, lung tissue, and breast milk, and it is still unknown how they may impact our health long-term. The WHO calls for more research into microplastics and a crackdown on plastic pollution.

We can reduce microplastics generation in the environment with the following measures:

Avoid single-use plastics like grocery bags, wrap, disposable cutlery, and straws. These materials end up in landfills and break down into small plastic particles.
Choose products with minimal plastic packaging. Buy products in larger containers instead of several smaller ones.
Be mindful of plastic waste disposal in accordance with applicable council guidelines. Recycle properly by bringing your old shoes, clothing, and unused paints to special collection points.
Read the label and use sustainable cosmetics that do not contain microbeads and synthetic microplastics.
When possible, choose clothing made from natural materials like cotton, silk, and wool. Textiles containing synthetic materials may shed plastic microfibres when washed.
Reduce the use of disposable plastic water bottles by opting for refillable glass and metal bottles instead.
Reduce your plastic footprint by supporting eco-friendly materials.
Avoid littering to prevent plastics from ending up in the environment.

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