Australians produce 17 million tonnes of solid waste each year just by throwing things away. That's one tonne for every person.

1. Refuse excess packaging materials
2. Reduce the amount of packaing you use by buyin in bulk, repairing appliances and furniture instead of replacing them, and avoiding disposable products
3. Re-use containers, building materials and clothing; repair and sell things you no longer need; consider buying secondhand
4. Recycle everything you can't refuse, reduce or re-use. check with your local council or state environment authority to find out what and where you can recycle

About 80 per cent of what we throw away can be recycled including paper, glass, aluminium, PET plastic drink containers, garden rubbish and kitchen scraps.

• Take a re-usable bag shopping instead of using plastic shopping bags
• Buy products with little or no packaging, or recycled packaging, or packaging that can be recycled
• Buy in bulk when possible and buy concentrates and refills
• Use biodegradable cleaning products
• re-use takeaway food containers
• Use unbleached and recycled paper products (including toilet paper and tissues)
• Try organic and free range food products that have been grown without harmful pesticides or fertilisers
• Buy local goods where possible – less energy is used to transport them
• Avoid anything with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that destroy the ozone layer and become potent greenhouse gases
• Set up four bins
  • non-recyclable plastic, foam cups and containers etc
  • recyclable plastics, aluminium cans, cartons, glass jars and bottles, newspapers, phone books, cardboard boxes
  • biodegradable food scraps (except fat, meat, bones) and garden waste
  • items that can be reused (eg old clothes, toys, books)

Rudd Government's Economic Security Strategy