Reduce plastics use
![metal drink bottle with bamboo cutlery set, straw and straw cleaner](/sites/default/files/styles/content_x1/public/2022-08/gettyimages-1153488163-170667a.jpg?itok=l3SK0YmU)
- Support the NSW ban on single-use disposable plastics
- Get a kit of reusable items to take out every day - shopping bag, drink bottle, mug, utensils.
- Choose sustainable materials when you shop.
Why act now?
- NSW generates 800,000 tonnes of plastics every year.
- Plastic production and disposal leads to high carbon dioxide emissions.
- Plastics pollution destroys wildlife and chokes our local drains and streetscapes. Plastic takes years to degrade.
Get moving on transport
![electric car with plug recharging - with solar panels in background](/sites/default/files/styles/content_x1/public/2022-08/gettyimages-1372085619-170667a.jpg?itok=cHXMHQyt)
- Get public transport or ride share for regular trips.
- Walk or ride a bike - plan an outing with friends or family
- Look into buying or subscribing to a low or zero emission vehicle
- Most electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions, and lower running costs than petrol vehicles.
Why act now?
- Road transport, especially cars, is one of the biggest causes of carbon dioxide emissions that lead to climate change.
- While emissions from some sectors have reduced since 1990, transport emissions have continued to increase in NSW. See AdaptNSW.
- Australians have high car use and high polluting cars compared to many other countries.
Act on household energy use
![solar panels and wind turbines](/sites/default/files/styles/content_x1/public/2022-08/gettyimages-1337173750-170667a.jpg?itok=PtzM8hwD)
There’s plenty we can do to reduce the impact of our household energy use. Take action today to reduce your environmental impact and save money!
- See our page on choosing clean energy such as solar.
- Switch off appliances, including home entertainment systems, at the wall.
- If you use a dryer, swap it out for a clothesline an extra day a week
- Check the Energy Rating label when you buy a new appliance.
- Follow the tips on Energy Saver website.
Why act now?
- Burning fossil fuels including coal, oil and gas, for energy is a major contributor to climate change.
- In Australia, energy production is the major single contributor to carbon emissions.
- By using less energy and supporting clean energy, we can help NSW's transformation to a cleaner, more reliable energy system.
Do more about rubbish
![Electronic waste in a circle, with a recycling symbol in centre](/sites/default/files/styles/content_x1/public/2022-08/gettyimages-1372577388-170667a.jpg?itok=YVwY5JPh)
- Visit Planet Ark Recycling Near You for all sorts of options to recycle
- Take paints, oils, batteries, globes to Community Recycling Centres
- Check if your council recycles organic waste or process it yourself
- Also see ShareWaste - Give your waste a second chance!
- Return and Earn for bottles
- Buy less. Buy recycled goods or goods in recycled packaging (cleanup.org.au)
- Instead of buying new stuff, DIY to uplift clothes and household items.
- Donate quality stuff to charity or try selling it.
Why act now?
- Australia produces 74 million tonnes of waste per year and we only recycle 60% (Waste and recycling - DCCEEW).
- Between 2015–16 and 2019–20, total waste generated per capita rose from 2.42 tonnes to 2.65 tonnes in NSW.
- See issues with waste from clothing and more on Clean Up Australia
- Trash that is dumped in landfills releases methane gas and burning trash releases carbon dioxide (see Eathday.org)