Before you throw out your old clothes, stop and think: Can this be turned into a shopping bag?
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The answer? Yes it can.
This was just one of the tips recently posted to the growing Facebook group War on Waste: Queanbeyan-Palerang.
Inspired by the War on Waste program that recently aired on the ABC, Queanbeyan mother of two Elyssa Carter decided to spread the word in the local community.
“After learning all these things on a personal level I thought if I’m a typical person in the community that was surprised by this, others probably would be too,” Ms Carter said.
“If this is a way I can contribute and our community can contribute to solving this issue then why not set it up?”
The group has attracted more than 180 members since going live last Sunday.
Discussions have covered everything from how to reduce personal waste by using reusable coffee cups to plans to approach council regarding prioritising recycled materials in construction projects.
According to a poll of group members, soft plastic recycling stations and a plastic bag ban, similar to the ACT, were the most useful steps Queanbeyan-Palerang could take towards reducing waste.
The group has already been in touch with Coles and Woolworths to discuss soft plastic recycling options and are heavily promoting the international Plastic Free July campaign.
As someone who has no background in pursuing environmental issues, Ms Carter said ultimately it was a cause that resonated with her personally.
“As someone with a young family, I want to be able to teach my children how to live more sustainably,” she said.
The group is only new but has big aspirations to promote change not only in people's homes but across the wider region.