• Shop carefully – packaging makes up about 33% of urban waste.
• Buy products with the least amount of packaging
• Buy in bulk (more product, less packaging)
• Buy products that have returnable, re-usable or recyclable containers
• Avoid disposable plates, cups and cutlery
• Use rechargeable batteries, cloth dishtowels instead of paper ones and refillable ink pens
• Store food in re-usable airtight containers, rather than plastic cling film, tinfoil or plastic bags
• Remember to take your own re-usable shopping packets, a basket or other containers to the supermarket instead of buying new ones
• Photocopy on both sides of the paper

Re-use

• If possible, re-use a product several times. If you can’t re-use something, find someone who can. Oasis has a book and bric-a-brac shop that gladly accepts quality books and household goods for resale
• Glass and plastic bottles with deposits can be returned to shops for re-use
• Wash and dry plastic bags for re-use
• Staple together office paper that has been used on one side only, for scrap paper
• Donate unwanted clothes, furniture, toys, books and magazines to the Oasis Association
• Repair things rather than throw them away

Recycle

• If a product cannot be re-used, then recycle it
• Separate your waste at home into organic waste, plastic, glass, cans and paper – all of which can be recycled.
• Find out what recycling programmes operate in your area, or drop off your recyclable waste at the Oasis Association
• Choose products with packaging that is made from recycled material or that is recyclable.
• Turn your organic waste into a compost heap! Kitchen and garden waste can be added to the compost heap.

Let shops and businesses know how you feel. Complain about unnecessary or non-recyclable packaging and about environmentally harmful products.

If they are getting it right, let them know that you support and appreciate their efforts.