Food waste per person
Food waste sent to landfill in Australia was reported at 102 kilograms per person in 2022–23.
Source: Australian Government ↗
Rethink waste before it becomes waste
Rescue it from landfill.
Too many useful products, materials and resources are discarded long before their true value is exhausted. Landfill Rescue is about buying thoughtfully, using things longer, repairing what we can, sharing what we no longer need and recycling correctly.
Photo: Daniel Miksha / Unsplash
Why it matters
There is no “away” when we throw something away.
Landfill occupies land, locks away reusable materials and creates pollution risks. Organic waste can generate methane as it breaks down, while unwanted electronics, clothing, packaging and household goods represent lost energy, water, labour and raw materials.
Tonnes of textile waste
Victoria generates more than 300,000 tonnes of textile waste each year, with substantial quantities still not recovered.
E-waste belongs in household bins
In Victoria, e-waste has been banned from landfill since 1 July 2019 and must be taken to an appropriate collection point.
Source: Victorian guidance ↗
The rescue order
Recycling helps. Avoiding waste helps more.
Use this simple order whenever you are about to buy, replace or discard something. Start at the top and move down only when the earlier option is not practical.
1
Refuse and rethink
Skip unnecessary items, excess packaging, disposable extras and impulse purchases.
2
Reduce
Buy only what you need and favour durable, refillable, repairable and reusable products.
3
Reuse, share and repair
Maintain products, borrow occasionally used items and give useful goods another owner.
4
Repurpose
Find a safe new use for containers, furniture, textiles and building materials.
5
Recycle correctly
Separate materials carefully and use specialist drop-off services for difficult items.
6
Dispose responsibly
Use landfill only when no safe recovery option remains, especially for hazardous waste.
Everyday opportunities
Small changes can rescue a surprising amount.
Food
Plan meals, check the fridge before shopping and understand the difference between “best before” and “use by”.
- Freeze leftovers before they spoil
- Store food correctly
- Compost or use a FOGO service
Clothing
Buy fewer, better garments and treat clothing as something to maintain rather than quickly replace.
- Mend buttons, hems and small tears
- Swap, sell or donate wearable items
- Use textile collection programs
Electronics
Old devices contain recoverable materials and should never be placed in general household bins.
- Repair or replace components
- Erase personal data before reuse
- Use approved e-waste drop-offs
Furniture
Solid furniture can often be cleaned, tightened, painted, reupholstered or passed to another household.
- Try local repairers first
- Offer usable items through local groups
- Separate timber, metal and fabric
Packaging
Choose concentrated products, refills, larger sensible sizes and genuinely recyclable packaging.
- Carry reusable bags and containers
- Avoid unnecessary single-use items
- Keep soft plastics out of kerbside bins
Household goods
Tools, toys, books and appliances may be useful to neighbours, community groups and charities.
- Borrow or hire rarely used equipment
- Join a library of things or toy library
- Hold a neighbourhood swap day
A simple place to begin
Try the seven-day landfill rescue.
For one week, pause before placing anything in the general waste bin. Ask whether it can be avoided, used again, repaired, donated, composted or taken to a specialist recycling service.
Choose one reusable replacement
Plan meals around food already at home
Repair one item instead of replacing it
Donate or sell one useful item
Find a local e-waste drop-off
Check your council’s bin rules
Trusted resources
Find the right home for unwanted items.
Recycling rules and collection services vary. These Australian resources can help you make the next decision.
Recycling Near YouSearch by material, suburb or postcode for reuse and recycling services.
Australian Government waste informationNational information about waste, resource recovery and food waste.
Recycling and waste in VictoriaVictorian Government information, programs and household guidance.
Clean Up AustraliaCampaigns, educational resources and ways to take local action.
Foodbank food waste informationLearn about food waste and the value of redirecting suitable surplus food.
Your local councilCheck local bin rules, transfer stations, hard waste and special collections.
The Landfill Rescue pledge
Before you throw it away, pause and ask.
Can it be used again? Can it be repaired? Could someone else use it? Can it be recycled? Is landfill really the only remaining option?
Can I use it again?
Can it be repaired?
Could someone else use it?
Can it be recycled?
Is landfill the only option?
A moment of thought before disposal can keep useful materials circulating and reduce the burden placed on landfill.
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