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King Charles' $97k arrival gift slammed as "waste of money"

<p>King Charles and Queen Camilla are set for a lavish welcome to commemorate their first visit since 2018, but taxpayers are not impressed with the massive cost. </p> <p>The sails of the Sydney Opera House will be illuminated from 8pm on Friday for four minutes with images from previous royal visits intended to show the "diverse ways in which Their Majesties have engaged with and celebrated NSW and Australia over the years."</p> <p>“We are lighting up the Sydney Opera House to warmly welcome The King and Queen to our beautiful harbour city," Premier Chris Minns said in a statement.</p> <p>"The photo projection on the Opera House sails celebrates a historic moment - The King’s first visit to NSW as Sovereign - and is a fitting tribute."</p> <p>The gesture does not come cheap, costing taxpayers an estimated $97,030, and many were unhappy about it. </p> <p>"Cannot support wasting our taxes on people who wouldn’t be here if we didn’t pay," one person wrote on Facebook. </p> <p>"At a time when rents are sky high ...more and more homeless.. Hospitals are overcrowded...Food and petrol prices are ridiculous...Do you really think it excites battling Aussies...having money spent this way?" another person asked.</p> <p>"How many homeless could be housed with the money spent on a visit by millionaires, paid by us?" another wrote. </p> <p>"Waste of money! Channel the funds to the needy. King who with the horse?!," another remarked.</p> <p>However, there were a few others who expressed their excitement about the royal visit. </p> <p>"I will definitely head in with the kids to see this," one wrote. </p> <p>"As a monarchist, yes I'm going there to warmly welcome them," another commented. </p> <p>"Can’t wait for their majesties arrival," a third added. </p> <p>Royal fans will have a chance to meet or see the monarchs, as they plant to engage with members of the public on the Sydney Opera House Forecourt on October 22nd at 4.20pm. </p> <p>Their appearance will be followed by a Fleet Review on Sydney Harbour, featuring an Australian Defence Force fly past.</p> <p>Members of the public can see the ships and fly past from various vantage points including  Farm Cove, Royal Botanic Gardens and Mrs Macquarie’s Chair at approximately 4.50pm.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Plastic Free July is a waste of time if the onus is only on consumers

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bhavna-middha-1061611">Bhavna Middha</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ralph-horne-160543">Ralph Horne</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p>Every year, the <a href="https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/">Plastic Free July</a> campaign asks us to refuse single-use plastic. The idea is that making a small change in our daily lives will collectively make a big difference. And hopefully, better behaviour will stick and become a habit.</p> <p>The intent is good, but consumers shouldn’t have to bear full responsibility for plastic pollution. Individual sacrifices – particularly temporary ones – <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0301421509004728">won’t make a significant difference</a>.</p> <p>Governments, manufacturers and retailers need to get serious about tackling this problem. If Plastic Free July put pressure on the supply side of the equation, rather than demand, it could be more successful.</p> <p>Our research spans food packaging including plastics, waste, sustainable consumption and social practices. We know consumer demand is only one part of the picture. Eliminating plastic waste requires broader systemic changes.</p> <h2>The cabbage dilemma</h2> <p>Research shows consumers generally want to do the <a href="https://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/news/news-articles/the-conversation-on-sustainability-has-changed">right thing by the environment</a> but find it <a href="https://theconversation.com/households-find-low-waste-living-challenging-heres-what-needs-to-change-197022">challenging</a>.</p> <p>Coming out of a supermarket with no packaging is difficult. There are few unpackaged food items and even when there is a choice, the unpackaged item may be more <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/want-your-fruit-and-veg-without-the-plastic-you-ll-have-to-pay-more-20231107-p5eib4.html">expensive</a>.</p> <p>Have you ever been stuck in the supermarket, choosing between the large head of cabbage you know you won’t finish before it goes bad, or the plastic-wrapped half-cabbage you really need?</p> <p>Consumers should not be forced to choose between food waste (another huge problem) or plastic waste. Maybe there’s another way. For example, why not sell cabbages of different sizes? Why do we need to grow such large heads of cabbage anyway?</p> <p>Both plastic consumption and food waste can be addressed by changing how we produce and distribute certain foods.</p> <h2>Governments, manufacturers and retailers must drive change</h2> <p>The onus for reducing plastic consumption and waste should be placed firmly on those who make plastic and profit from selling their products, as well as those who make and sell products wrapped in plastic packaging.</p> <p>Research has shown just <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/News/2024/April/Global-study-finds-more-than-half-of-branded-plastic-pollution-linked-to-56-companies?utm_source=pocket_shared">56 companies</a> globally are responsible for more than half of the branded plastic pollution that ends up in the environment.</p> <p>Companies profit from using plastics because it is cheaper to use than changing to alternatives, such as cardboard or compostable materials, or using less packaging. This means companies choosing to avoid using plastics face unfair competition.</p> <p>It’s a tough habit to kick. Industry-led <a href="https://productstewardship.us/what-is-epr/#:%7E:text=Stewardship%20can%20be%20either%20voluntary,product%20stewardship%20required%20by%20law">voluntary schemes</a> are <a href="https://www.insidewaste.com.au/91038-2-product-stewardship-schemes/">limited in terms of both participation and outcomes</a>. Many companies are failing to meet their own <a href="https://www.asyousow.org/report-page/2024-plastic-promises-scorecard">plastic reduction goals</a>.</p> <p>Governments need to step in and force companies to take responsibility for the plastic and packaging they manufacture. In practice, this could involve similar schemes to the container deposit scheme for beverage containers, or returning plastics to stores.</p> <p>Replacing voluntary schemes with mandatory regulations and increased producer responsibility means companies will have to <a href="https://www.insidewaste.com.au/91038-2-product-stewardship-schemes/">invest in long-term changes designed with care</a>.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UnXVU-06ciI?wmode=transparent&amp;start=1" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">What’s Plastic Free July?</span></figcaption></figure> <h2>Cities are built around plastic</h2> <p>Our previous research has shown plastic performs an essential role in some, <a href="https://rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/geoj.12457">constrained circumstances</a>. We found vulnerable householders often rely on plastic to make life manageable, such as using plastics to cover belongings on the balcony, or using plastic cutlery and plates in student apartments with minimal kitchen space. This includes people with accessibility needs, people relying on public transport to shop for groceries, or people who are financially constrained or living in small high-rise <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-cant-keep-putting-apartment-residents-waste-in-the-too-hard-basket-200545">apartments</a>.</p> <p>Unsustainable lifestyles are not so much a choice as a product of poorly planned cities, housing and regulations. It is all very well if you are mobile and well-located, but if you live in a <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-07-08/food-deserts-have-serious-consequences-for-residents-experts/6605230">poorly serviced</a> distant suburb and <a href="https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2023/01/are-you-living-in-a-food-desert--these-maps-suggest-it-can-reall">transport groceries or takeaway food</a> or buy things on the go, then plastic is perhaps the only current affordable way to make it work.</p> <p>So campaigns and solutions that do not consider how <a href="https://rgs-ibg.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/geoj.12457">everyday lives and economy</a> are intertwined with plastics can <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s42949-024-00149-w">exclude people and spaces</a> who can’t access the alternatives.</p> <p>For example, there are ways to make <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1745-5871.12464">convenience eating more sustainable</a> in education settings. We have shown how <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1745-5871.12390">canteens and microwaves</a> in shared spaces can enable people to access affordable food with their friends, as in <a href="https://www.charlesabroad.cz/post/german-university-canteens-why-do-they-beat-the-czech-ones">University Mensa in Germany</a>.</p> <p>Our <a href="https://cur.org.au/project/tackling-food-related-single-use-plastics-in-diverse-consumption-contexts/">new research</a> will explore how single-use food-related plastics and packaging form an integral part of our daily lives, including shopping, work, cooking and storage.</p> <p>Sometimes new policies inadvertently disadvantage certain groups and communities, such as the aged, less mobile, people living in apartments, or low socio-economic groups. Before we roll out new policies and regulations, we need to understand the roles these materials play and the kinds of services and value they provide.</p> <p>We aim to develop a framework to inform policies and strategies that enable a just and inclusive transition to reduced plastic use.</p> <h2>What about after July?</h2> <p>Plastic Free July and similar campaigns are based on idea that making a temporary change will lead to more permanent lifestyle changes. But research shows temporary shifts are <a href="http://www.demand.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/DEMAND2016_Full_paper_42-Shove.pdf">very different</a> to <a href="https://pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/32468813/FULL_TEXT.PDF">structural, permanent shifts</a> in <a href="https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315816494-1/introduction-social-practices-intervention-sustainability-beyond-behaviour-change-yolande-strengers-cecily-maller?context=ubx&amp;refId=d608abad-39f9-4bb2-8754-56e9e2000c5e">practices</a>.</p> <p>Supermarkets will still wrap items in plastic and sell single-use plastic, even if we try to buy less during Plastic Free July.</p> <p>Ultimately, the focus should be on designing effective infrastructure and policy solutions for lasting results, considering how demand for plastic is produced in the first place.</p> <p>Some of these changes will require a shift in community expectations and food culture.</p> <p>Rather than pointing the finger at consumers, let’s get to work on redesigning our cities. We need to rethink how everyday practices, manufacturing and distribution systems are structured to eliminate plastic waste.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/233436/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/bhavna-middha-1061611">Bhavna Middha</a>, ARC DECRA and Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Urban Research, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ralph-horne-160543">Ralph Horne</a>, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research &amp; Innovation, College of Design &amp; Social Context, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/plastic-free-july-is-a-waste-of-time-if-the-onus-is-only-on-consumers-233436">original article</a>.</em></p> </div>

Home & Garden

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We found 3 types of food wasters, which one are you?

<p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/trang-nguyen-1454838">Trang Nguyen</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/patrick-oconnor-109973">Patrick O'Connor</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em></p> <p>Each year, Australian households discard about <a href="https://workdrive.zohopublic.com.au/external/06152b9ff5971843391f39fc4d32a847e56fb907c167a4a645887b0a4bc43000">2.5 million tonnes of food</a>. Most (73%) of this food waste <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652622042081">ends up in landfill</a>.</p> <p>This is costly and contributes to <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37118273/">escalating greenhouse gas emissions</a>, because food waste rotting in landfill produces methane. So reducing household food waste and diverting it from landfill saves money, improves food security and benefits the environment.</p> <p>To address the problem, we need to understand how people generate and dispose of food waste. In <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.105000">our new study</a>, we found households fell into three categories – based on the amount of food wasted, how much of that waste was avoidable and how it was sorted. These insights into consumer behaviour point to where the most worthwhile improvements can be made.</p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JvAFaD5f1Lo?wmode=transparent&amp;start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <h2>Three types of households</h2> <p>We conducted an online survey of 939 households in metropolitan Adelaide between April and May 2021.</p> <p>The sample closely matched the national Australian population in terms of gender, age and income.</p> <p>We asked about the types of food waste produced, the amount of food waste typically discarded in a week and motivations towards reducing and sorting food waste.</p> <p>We identified three distinct types of households:</p> <p><strong>Warriors</strong> are typically older and highly motivated to reduce and sort food waste. They generate minimal waste (9.6 litres per week), such as bones and vegetable peels, that is mostly unavoidable. This group comprised 39.6% of the sample.</p> <p><strong>Strugglers</strong> mainly consist of families with children who produce the largest amount of food waste (33.1 litres per week). They produce the highest proportion of avoidable food waste, such as uneaten fruits and vegetables, bread and cereals. They are moderately motivated to reduce and sort food waste, but more than half of their food waste still ends up in landfill. This group made up 19.6% of the sample.</p> <p><strong>Slackers</strong> are generally younger. They show little concern about reducing or sorting food waste. Slackers produce the smallest amount of food waste overall (9 litres a week), but the proportion of avoidable food waste (such as mixed leftovers) is significantly higher (38.9%) compared to warriors (24.5%). They are more than twice as likely to live in units, with 17.2% doing so, compared to just 7.8% of warriors. This group was 40.8% of the sample.</p> <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=1000&amp;fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=361&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=361&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=600&amp;h=361&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=454&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=30&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=454&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550951/original/file-20230928-27-f7cw8e.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=15&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;h=454&amp;fit=crop&amp;dpr=3 2262w" alt="Graphic explainer showing the three types of households with their typical characteristics and food waste behaviours." /></a><figcaption><span class="caption">The three types of households with their typical characteristics and food waste behaviours.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2023.105000">Trang Nguyen using Canva.com</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">CC BY-NC-ND</a></span></figcaption></figure> <h2>What can households do about their food waste?</h2> <p>Reducing household food waste involves changing behaviours in both food management (“upstream”) and waste management (“downstream”).</p> <p>Upstream measures aim to prevent food waste in the first place. For example, households can avoid buying or cooking too much food. Supporting households to plan and buy just the right amount of food is a great starting point.</p> <p>Once food waste has been produced, downstream measures come into play. The focus shifts to how we handle and dispose of this waste.</p> <p>When households engage in food waste recycling they <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su131911099">start thinking more</a> about their behaviour including purchasing and cooking.</p> <p>In Australia, food waste management is mainly the responsibility of local councils.</p> <p>There are three ways to target household food waste management and drive behavioural change:</p> <ul> <li> <p>providing kerbside collection of food organics and garden organics, also known as “FOGO”</p> </li> <li> <p>changing social norms around food waste</p> </li> <li> <p>offering economic incentives and disincentives.</p> </li> </ul> <h2>1. Providing a FOGO system</h2> <p>Councils should provide this option at a minimum. This ensures sufficient infrastructure is available to support motivated households to sort food waste.</p> <p>Unfortunately <a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e6b5c78e1dac47f88e7e475ffacfc49b">fewer than half of Australian councils</a> provide a garden organics system and only a quarter of councils provide a FOGO system.</p> <p>You can explore <a href="https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e6b5c78e1dac47f88e7e475ffacfc49b">the FOGO interactive map</a> to see how your area stacks up.</p> <p><a href="https://www.greenindustries.sa.gov.au/resources/adelaide-metro-kerbside-waste-performance-report-2021-22">Most councils in metropolitan Adelaide</a> provide access to food waste recycling through the FOGO bin. But <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.134636">our research</a> indicates more than half of household food waste still ends up in landfill. So we need additional programs to promote more sustainable behaviours.</p> <h2>2. Changing social norms</h2> <p>Social norms, the unspoken rules about what behaviours are deemed appropriate, can drive behavioural change.</p> <p>Examples of promoting social norms around food waste reduction include a <a href="https://www.stopfoodwaste.com.au/stop-food-waste-nationwide-consumer-campaign-summit-communique/">nationwide consumer campaign</a> on stopping food waste and the <a href="https://www.cityofadelaide.com.au/resident/recycling-waste/kitchen-caddies/">kitchen caddy</a> for benches to increase convenience for collecting food waste.</p> <p>But our research suggests some groups, like slackers, remain unmotivated without additional incentives. Economic incentives might motivate this group to engage in more sustainable behaviours.</p> <h2>3. Economic incentives</h2> <p>Currently, Australians pay for waste management through their council rates. This is a “pay-as-you-own” system.</p> <p>The cost is determined by the property’s value, regardless of the amount of waste generated. Renters indirectly contribute to this cost by paying rent.</p> <p>Neither owner-occupiers nor renters have any incentive to reduce waste generation when the cost is levied on property value rather than the amount of waste.</p> <p>An alternative approach gaining momentum in other parts of the world is the “pay-as-you-throw” approach, such as <a href="https://www.collectors2020.eu/wcs-ppw/stockholm-se/">Stockholm</a> and <a href="https://pocacito.eu/sites/default/files/WasteCharging_Taipei.pdf">Taipei</a>. This system charges households based on the weight of their waste, usually the general waste that needs to be discarded in landfill, while the collection of food waste and other recyclables remains free to encourage waste sorting.</p> <p>Recent <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137363">research</a> in Italy shows pay-as-you-throw schemes result in significant reductions in both the quantity of waste and costs associated with waste disposal in many Italian municipalities.</p> <p>The reduced costs flow on to savings for councils that could potentially reduce waste management fees passed on to homeowners and renters through council rates. Giving households incentives to reduce waste and find alternatives to disposal encourages residents to place a higher value on food that may otherwise be sent to landfill.</p> <h2>Reducing food waste is a win-win</h2> <p>Tackling food waste is a win-win for people and the planet. It’s worth using various approaches to encourage people to change their behaviour.</p> <p>Our findings can help inform the design of interventions aimed at reducing and sorting food waste in specific segments of the Australian population.<!-- Below is The Conversation's page counter tag. Please DO NOT REMOVE. --><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/214482/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><!-- End of code. If you don't see any code above, please get new code from the Advanced tab after you click the republish button. The page counter does not collect any personal data. More info: https://theconversation.com/republishing-guidelines --></p> <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dx7RWtfgbVw?wmode=transparent&amp;start=11" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption><span class="caption">No time to waste: Halving Australia’s food waste by 2030 (Fight Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre)</span></figcaption></figure> <p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/trang-nguyen-1454838"><em>Trang Nguyen</em></a><em>, Postdoctoral Fellow, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a> and <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/patrick-oconnor-109973">Patrick O'Connor</a>, Associate Professor, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-adelaide-1119">University of Adelaide</a></em></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-found-3-types-of-food-wasters-which-one-are-you-214482">original article</a>.</em></p>

Food & Wine

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"Heartbreaking" issue set to engulf Bali

<p>A viral video has shown the devastating side of tourism in Bali, with mountains of garbage taking over the popular holiday destination. </p> <p>Gary Bencheghib, a French filmmaker living in Indonesia, captured a heartbreaking video of a massive “open rubbish dump” 50 metres high covered in trash.</p> <p>He said it is one of many open dumps around Bali, which are overflowing with waste. </p> <p>“I’ve just made it here, right at the foot of this giant open landfill. It’s so high we can’t even see the top and it falls right into the river,” he said.</p> <p>Gary’s post has attracted hundreds of comments from shocked users who described the state of the site as “depressing”. </p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvH6Sw2t09U/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CvH6Sw2t09U/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Gary Bencheghib (@garybencheghib)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“My️ [heart] brakes by seeing this … such a beautiful country! They need education and see this. How can I help???” one person asked</p> <p>“Totally heartbreaking,” said another.</p> <p>A third person wrote, “As we love Bali so much, things like this need to be addressed also by the local community and local government hand-in-hand.”</p> <p>In an attempt to combat the ever-growing rubbish problem, that Indonesian officials have said will cost $40 million to fully resolve, a new tourism tax has been implemented. </p> <p>In July, Bali Governor Wayan Koster confirmed as of next year tourists will need to pay 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (about $15) to enter the popular island.</p> <p>He said the funds would be used for “the environment, culture and [to] build better quality infrastructure”.</p> <p>Indonesia’s co-ordinating minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, suggested to have the money spent on addressing Bali’s waste problem.</p> <p>"I think it [tourism tax] is good for Bali; why not use it to look after its waste,” he told reporters last week after signing a new conservation agreement at the Bali Turtle Special Economic Zone.</p> <p>“Garbage must be cleaned; now there is a smell. I spoke to the mayor of Denpasar to fix it but don’t use it as a political issue, it’s not good just fix it and reduce the smell.”</p> <p>He explained that if it continues without “significant and rapid improvement” the problem will become “uncontrollable”,<em> <a title="thebalisun.com" href="https://thebalisun.com/minister-says-new-tourism-tax-in-bali-should-be-used-to-tackle-islands-waste-problem/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Bali Sun</a></em> reported.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Instagram </em></p>

Travel Trouble

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15 great kitchen hacks to extend the life of food and save on waste

<p>If you’re sick of throwing food in the bin (and wasting money), try these simple tips to reduce your wastage in the kitchen.         </p> <p><strong>1. Use food scraps to grow vegetables</strong></p> <p>Save the odds and ends from veggies such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, leeks, spring onions, celery, bok choy, garlic and even onions. These can all be replanted in some soil and will grow back. Just don’t forget to water them.</p> <p><strong>2. Reheat leftover slices of pizza in a frying pan</strong></p> <p>If you aren’t a fan of floppy microwaved pizza, just pop your pizza into a hot fry pan instead. Your crusts will stay crispy and it will heat through much faster than it would in the oven.</p> <p><strong>3. Bring stale potato chips back to life in the microwave</strong></p> <p>If you left the bag open overnight, fear not. Pop your stale chips in the microwave on high for 10 seconds or until crisp.</p> <p><strong>4. Use leftover herbs to make herb butter</strong></p> <p>If your herbs are on the turn, just chop them up and mix with some melted butter. Pop it into some ice cube trays and freeze. Then you can enjoy the perfect portion of herb butter to use on your steak or to make homemade garlic bread.</p> <p><strong>5. Keep bananas fresher by wrapping the tips</strong></p> <p>If you want your bananas to last longer in the fruit bowl, just wrap their tips with some cling film. They should keep for around three to five days longer.</p> <p><strong>6. Keep greens fresher in foil</strong></p> <p>Celery, broccoli, and lettuce all last much longer in the fridge if you wrap them in foil first.</p> <p><strong>7. Keep pineapples sweet by storing upside down</strong></p> <p>The sugars in this fruit can all end up on the bottom after the time spent in transit. So keep your pineapple upside down when you get home and the sweetness will be redistributed evenly.</p> <p><strong>8. Use a glass to peel a mango</strong></p> <p>You can use a glass to slide the skin off your mango. This will avoid wasting any fruit that you’d normally toss after peeling with a knife.</p> <p><strong>9. Make a two-ingredient Nutella milkshake</strong></p> <p>When you need a sweet treat but you’re nearly out of Nutella, just add warm milk to the jar and shake well.</p> <p><strong>10. Avoid sprouting potatoes by storing them with apples</strong></p> <p>The ethylene gas in the apples helps to stop your potatoes from sprouting.</p> <p><strong>11. Keep leftover avocado fresh by storing it with a sliced onion</strong></p> <p>There is sulfur in the onion and this keeps the avocado from going brown.</p> <p><strong>12. Keep cake fresh by covering with sliced bread</strong></p> <p>Cover the exposed cake with some bread held in place with toothpicks and it will stay soft.</p> <p><strong>13. Extend the life of your eggs with vegetable oil</strong></p> <p>By rubbing the eggshells with vegetable oil it will keep them fresher in the fridge for three to four weeks.</p> <p><strong>14. Keep lettuce fresh by storing in a brown paper bag</strong></p> <p>No more sad and limp leaves! Keep your lettuce wrapped in a brown paper bag in the fridge. Plus, keeping the outer layers in place even if they have gone brown will keep the inside fresher for longer.</p> <p><strong>15. Reuse coffee grounds in the garden</strong></p> <p>Plants such as roses, hydrangeas, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and tomatoes will all appreciate a liberal sprinkling of your used coffee grounds.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Home Hints & Tips

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How ‘ugly’ fruit and vegetables could tackle food waste and solve supermarket supply shortages

<p>The world is facing a significant food waste problem, with <a href="https://www.fao.org/3/i4068e/i4068e.pdf">up to half of all fruit and vegetables</a> lost somewhere along the agricultural food chain. Globally, around <a href="https://www.fao.org/3/ca6030en/ca6030en.pdf">14% of food produced</a> is lost after harvesting but before it reaches shops and supermarkets.</p> <p>Alongside food prices (66%), food waste is a concern for 60% of people that participated in a <a href="https://www.food.gov.uk/research/food-and-you-2/food-and-you-2-wave-5">recent survey</a> published by the UK Food Standards Agency. <a href="https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmenvfru/429/429.pdf">Other research</a> suggests that as much as 25% of apples, 20% of onions and 13% of potatoes grown in the UK are destroyed because they don’t look right. This means that producers’ efforts to meet stringent specifications from buyers can lead to <a href="https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201617/cmselect/cmenvfru/429/429.pdf">perfectly edible produce being discarded</a> before it even leaves the farm – simply because of how it looks.</p> <p>Aside from the ongoing environmental implications of this food waste, UK shoppers currently face <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/04/food-tsar-blames-shortages-on-uks-weird-supermarket-culture">produce rationing in some supermarkets</a> due to <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/28/british-supermarkets-are-rationing-fruit-and-vegetables-amid-shortages.html">shortages of items like tomatoes, cucumbers and raspberries</a>. Any solutions that increase locally grown produce on shop shelves could improve the availability of fresh food, particularly in urban areas.</p> <p>When imperfect fruit and vegetables don’t make it to supermarket shelves, it can be due to <a href="https://cases.open.ubc.ca/insistence-on-cosmetically-perfect-fruits-vegetables/">cosmetic standards</a>. Supermarkets and consumers often prefer produce of a fairly standard size that’s free of blemishes, scars and other imperfections. This means fruit and vegetables that are misshapen, discoloured, or even too small or too large, are rejected before they make it to supermarket shelves.</p> <p>In recent years there has been a growing trend of selling such “ugly” fruit and vegetables, both by <a href="https://my.morrisons.com/wonky-fruit-veg/">major</a> <a href="https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/content/sustainability/food-waste">supermarket</a> <a href="https://www.tescoplc.com/news/2021/wonky-veg-5th-anniversary/">chains</a>, as well as <a href="https://wonkyvegboxes.co.uk/">speciality</a> <a href="https://www.misfitsmarket.com/?exp=plans_rollback">retailers</a> that sell <a href="https://www.oddbox.co.uk/">boxes</a> of <a href="https://etepetete-bio.de/">wonky produce</a>. And research has shown that 87% of people say they would <a href="https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/fruit-and-veg/nearly-90-of-consumers-would-eat-wonky-fruit-and-veg-according-to-new-survey/670155.article">eat wonky fruit and vegetables if they were available</a>. But other research indicates consumers can still be picky and difficult to predict. One study <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950329316302002?via%3Dihub">showed</a> consumers are likely to throw away an apple with a spot, but would eat a bent cucumber.</p> <h2>Getting ugly produce into baskets</h2> <p>So how can producers and retailers boost the amount of non-standard fruit and veg that not only reaches our shelves, but also our plates? <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0377221723000668">Our recent research</a> suggests a separate channel for selling ugly produce would increase profits for growers, lower prices for consumers and boost overall demand for produce.</p> <p>For growers, a dedicated channel – either independent or set up by a supermarket – to supply wonky fruit and veg creates a new line of business. For retailers, this provides an opportunity for further revenue over and above current sales of standard produce to shops. When selling both types of product to a single retailer, the ugly items might be undervalued compared with the standard-looking products. Our research also shows that selling the ugly produce through a dedicated channel is likely to increase total demand for fruit and vegetables, while also decreasing on-farm loss.</p> <p>Having two parallel channels for selling produce (the main one and the dedicated “ugly” channel) would increase competition. This benefits shoppers by lowering prices for regular and ugly produce, versus selling both types of products alongside each other in one shop.</p> <p>On the other hand, the growing market for ugly fruit and vegetables could be an economic threat to traditional retailers. It encourages new entrants into the market and could also limit the availability of “regular” produce because growers could become less stringent about ensuring produce meets traditional cosmetic standards.</p> <p>But there is a way for traditional retailers to add ugly produce into their product offerings alongside other produce without affecting their profits. By building on existing consumer awareness of the environmental benefits of ugly food, they could also compete in this growing segment. This would benefit their bottom lines and help consumer acceptance of misshapen fruit and vegetables, possibly leading to less food waste and shortages like those UK shoppers are experiencing right now.</p> <p>Boosting demand for imperfect fruit and vegetables across the supply chain will require all participants to get involved – from grower to seller. Here are some steps the various parties could take:</p> <h2>1. Educating consumers</h2> <p>Education about the environmental and economic impact of food waste could happen through marketing campaigns, in-store displays and even social media.</p> <h2>2. Reducing cosmetic standards</h2> <p>Supermarkets and other major food retailers could revise their cosmetic standards to accept a wider range of produce, including imperfect fruit and vegetables. This would help reduce food waste by making sure more produce is able to be sold.</p> <h2>3. Direct sales</h2> <p>Farmers and growers could sell non-standard produce directly to consumers through farmers’ markets or subscription services. This allows consumers to purchase fresh, locally grown produce that might not meet cosmetic standards for supermarkets but that is just as nutritionally beneficial.</p> <h2>4. Food donations</h2> <p>Supermarkets and growers could donate produce rejected for how it looks to food banks, shelters and other organisations that serve those in need. This would help reduce food waste while also providing healthy food to those who might not otherwise have access to it.</p> <h2>5. Value-added products</h2> <p>Produce that doesn’t meet cosmetic standards could also be used to create other products such as soups, sauces and juices. In addition to reducing food waste, this would create new revenue streams for growers and retailers.</p> <h2>6. Food composting</h2> <p>Anything that cannot be sold or otherwise used should be composted. This would help reduce food waste while also creating nutrient-rich soil for future crops.</p> <p>By implementing these solutions, the supply chain can reduce the amount of ugly or imperfect fruit and vegetables that are wasted, while also providing consumers with healthy, affordable produce, even in times of supply chain shortages.</p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-ugly-fruit-and-vegetables-could-tackle-food-waste-and-solve-supermarket-supply-shortages-201216" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Food & Wine

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10 things that are always a waste to pack

<p>All travellers know the hardships of packing the necessities for the trip ahead. And everyone knows how many things you haven’t actually used by the time you get home again – what a waste of precious space in your luggage.</p> <p>Here is a list of 10 things to not bother packing in your suitcase.</p> <p><strong>1. Shampoo and conditioner</strong></p> <p>You can purchase these items at the places you travel. If the locals have easy access to hair products then so will you. Hotels should provide little travel-sized minis which will last a few days. Travelling with liquids can also lead to delays at security check points.</p> <p><strong>2. Shoes</strong></p> <p>Don’t pack more than two pairs of shoes – they take up unnecessary weight and space. Ensure you have a comfortable pair of walking shoes and some shoes that are nice enough to go out in at restaurants and other events.</p> <p><strong>3. Jewellery</strong></p> <p>Don’t bring your favourite expensive jewellery, you are only human and can accidentally leave items behind in hotels or apartments. You could also increase your risk of becoming a target for pickpockets. Try swapping out your diamond earrings for some cheaper substitute studs while you’re away.</p> <p><strong>4. Laptop</strong></p> <p>Don’t bring your laptop. Unless you’re travelling for work, you probably don’t need to bring a computer on your holiday. You could also become a target for thieves while travelling if they notice you have an expensive technological device with you.</p> <p><strong>5. Swimming costume</strong></p> <p>Don’t bring more than two swimming costumes. They are easy to wash and having two on hand always ensures you have a dry one to wear for the next day. Just put the swimmers in the sink filled with cool water and add some mild detergent before rinsing and wringing out to dry.</p> <p><strong>6. Hair dryer </strong></p> <p>Hair dryers are heavy and bulky, so they aren’t the easiest thing to try and squeeze into your suitcase. Hairdryers are usually provided by hotels and although yours may be nicer, they both do the same job in the end.</p> <p><strong>7. Out of season clothing </strong></p> <p>Avoid packing out of season clothing – if you’re going on a summer holiday in Europe, you probably don’t need that heavy winter coat. The excuse for packing these unnecessary items is always “just in case,” but if the situation does arise where there is an uncharacteristic change in weather, you can always buy what you need to face the day.</p> <p><strong>8. Books </strong></p> <p>Turn to paperback books or electronic tablets instead of hardcover novels. The electronic tablets are most helpful as they can contain a whole library of book options without adding the weight of a library in your suitcase. Paperback books are good when you don’t have an electronic tablet, but maybe avoid packing seven books!</p> <p><strong>9. Traveller’s checks </strong></p> <p>Traveller’s checks aren’t used anymore. Although they were once the safeguard of money while on holidays, the traveller’s checks have gone out of style. It’s unlikely you will come across a place that will accept the checks, as these have been replaced by the use of ATMs for cash and the ability to use your debit and credit cards that don’t charge an international transaction fee.</p> <p><strong>10. Double-ups </strong></p> <p>Finally, don’t bring anything your travel partner is also packing. For instance, don’t pack more than one thing that can be shared. You don’t need two tubes of toothpaste, for instance!</p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Travel Tips

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Ways you’re wasting money without knowing it

<p><strong>Airline fees</strong></p> <p>You’re paying extra for almost everything when you fly these days, from your bags to your seat. So be sure to compare not only the prices of flights but what they’re charging in extra fees. You may also want to weigh your bag before you go to avoid any additional charges.</p> <p><strong>Bank fees</strong></p> <p>Not keeping enough money in your bank account could cost you some serious cash. How much? ATM and other maintenance fees can also add up to $1,000 over ten years. To avoid them, look for banks with free ATMs that don’t charge monthly maintenance fees.</p> <p><strong>Buying things new</strong></p> <p>Sure, a shiny new car is tempting. But as soon as you drive it off the lot, the car loses 11 percent of its value. A better option? Opt for a reliable used car and a short-term loan you can pay off quickly. The same goes for electronics and other items.</p> <p><strong>Convenience foods</strong></p> <p>Pre-cut fruit and vegetables can save time, but they can also dent your wallet. Instead, buy food as close to its natural form as possible, and divide it up into portion sizes yourself.</p> <p>The same concept applies for all those fancy lattes. Even if you buy just three $5 drinks each week, that’s $780 per year. Over a decade, it’s $7,800.</p> <p><strong>Credit card interest</strong></p> <p>It’s not uncommon to be charged 20 percent annually, although some people face even steeper rates. If you carry $25,000 in debt, paying 20 percent on it will cost you a whopping $5,000 annually – just in interest. To avoid paying extra money for old debts, try the snowball method. Pay off the card with the lowest balance first, then move on to the next one.</p> <p><strong>Dry cleaning</strong></p> <p>A typical trip to the cleaners for your pants and shirts can cost you more than $10. With a weekly visit, that could add up to more than $500 per year. To save that money, clean your shirts in the delicate cycle in your washer or hand wash them.</p> <p><strong>Eating out</strong></p> <p>Going out to dinner with the family can be a nice treat, but doing it regularly really adds up. Instead of buying your lunch every day, save money by packing it. And before you go out, look for specials like coupons or happy hours or get entrees instead of full meals.</p> <p><strong>Extended warranties </strong></p> <p>Getting an extended warranty on that refrigerator or car you bought sounds like a good idea. But most extended warranties aren’t worth the money. Why? The fine print may not include likely problems, or you may be buying duplicate coverage. A better plan? Open a savings account and sock away money for any repairs that might come up.</p> <p><strong>Impulse buys</strong></p> <p>Spur-of-the-moment buys can cost you more in the long term, because you may not really need them, or you haven’t shopped around for better deals. Really want something? Take a 24-hour breather and see if you still do.</p> <p><strong>Name brands</strong></p> <p>Brand names can be tempting when it comes to consumer products like cereals and soaps. But the generic versions work just as well. And when it comes to medications, generic versions can cost between 30 and 80 percent less than brand-name drugs. Ask your doctor to specify on the prescription that generic medications should be substituted for name brands.</p> <p><strong>Phantom electricity</strong></p> <p>Everyone wants to make sure their electronic devices are charged. But keeping your laptop and phone plugged in once they’re at full power is costing you – especially with high energy prices. To save money, make sure to power down your devices when you’re not using them and use a power strip to easily turn off several electronics at once.</p> <p><strong>Procrastinating</strong></p> <p>You might think it’s a good idea to wait for last-minute deals, but procrastinating can cost you in the long run. Plane tickets and hotel rooms can get more expensive the closer to the date. And procrastinating on saving money will mean less down the road.</p> <p><strong>Speeding</strong></p> <p>Rushing to get somewhere may be tempting, but it can also add up. On the highway, speeding can decrease your fuel mileage by up to 30 percent. That’s not counting what it will cost you if you get stopped for your leadfoot or hit another vehicle. So slow down and save.</p> <p><strong>Subscription boxes</strong></p> <p>The average subscription box costs between $10 and $40 per month, which means you could be spending well over $100 a year – on just one service. Think about whether you’re really using (and enjoying) the majority of the items in the box on a regular basis. If not, it might be time to cancel your subscription.</p> <p><strong>Unused memberships</strong></p> <p>You signed up for that gym membership with the best of intentions, but if you’re part of the 67 percent of people with a membership who never set foot in the gym, you could be wasting more than $700 a year. And if you’re a member of one of the fancier gyms, you’re wasting even more.</p> <p><strong>Tax deductions you're missing </strong></p> <p>Earned income tax credits were designed to help keep money in people’s pockets. But 20 percent of people who qualify for the deductions don’t take advantage of them. To make sure you get the deductions you’re entitled to, use an online tax program or hire a professional.</p> <p><strong>Wasted food</strong></p> <p>A trip to the grocery store may cost you money in more ways than one. Because of lack of planning, impulse buying, and cooking too much food, an average of one in five bags of groceries goes to waste. To save, make a plan before you go shopping, don’t go to the store hungry, and eat/freeze your leftovers.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/food-home-garden/money/ways-youre-wasting-money-without-knowing-it?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Money & Banking

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Readers Respond: What do you think is a complete waste of money?

<p>With the cost of living on the rise, it is no wonder that people are looking for more ways to save.</p> <p>From bottled water to huge wedding celebrations, the Over60 readers were quite passionate on things they wouldn't spend their money on.</p> <p>Here are some of your thoughts on what you consider a complete waste of money.</p> <p>Linda Riddell - A big wedding celebration at a wedding venue with a professional photographer...</p> <p>Lynnette Ziya- Packaging around product that is not recycling.</p> <p>Marima Macaraeg - Saving all your money in the bank, praying it will earn lots of interests to make you richer. The truth is, your money will never make you rich if you hoard it all in the bank. If you take it out, buy resources or food and give it to the poor to feed the hungry, that will only be the time that your money will multiply and earn a priceless value called relevance.</p> <p>Laurie Thomas- Halloween.absolute commercial rubbish and waste of millions of dollars.</p> <p>Catherine Misios- Bottled water</p> <p>Ruth Donnelly - Buying bottled water and things you'll never use or eat just because they're on sale.</p> <p>Narelle Noppers - Black Friday sales. It's just making people spend more than they should.</p> <p>Christine Noble-Watson - Ready peeled and sliced fruit and vegetables</p> <p>Raymond Wagner- Extended warranty</p> <p>Lyn Mcgowran- Cream and potions to get rid of wrinkles.</p> <p>Suzanne Jones- Designer handbags</p> <p>Perhaps some of these will come in handy for you in the future. If you have any other things you consider a complete waste of money, share it <a href="https://www.facebook.com/oversixtys/posts/pfbid0yvwkHgbxFPZFD34xJxD3z511fSPRfpjv2uBvnK7Fz8gZZm9TBZuG8mhBKukuPYsNl" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Money & Banking

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You’re wasting your money if you’re buying these 13 things in brand-new condition

<p><strong>Exercise equipment</strong></p> <p>There’s a good chance exercise equipment like treadmills, ellipticals, and dumbbells, are still in good condition.</p> <p>“Many people buy these items with the intentions of starting a regimen but fall off quickly and then try to unload these bulky goods that take up too much room,” says consumer and money-saving expert Andrea Woroch.</p> <p>Just make sure to research the brand and test the equipment before you buy, she says. In addition to the usual spots like garage sales, a local gym that’s getting renovated might be selling old equipment at killer prices, says Woroch.</p> <p><strong>Hand tools</strong></p> <p>There are so many used hand tools like hammers and wrenches on the market that there’s no reason to buy new, says Shelton.</p> <p>If you’re on the market, he recommends checking out a surprising spot.</p> <p>“Pawnshops are a great place for used tools,” says Shelton.</p> <p>“A lot of times they’re coming from trade because people change jobs.”</p> <p><strong>Gift cards</strong></p> <p>“Buying gift cards used may seem like an unusual idea, but it’s actually becoming more mainstream as a unique way to save money,” says Woroch.</p> <p>You can save 10 to 30 percent on store credit at your go-to shops, or gift cards to give as presents, she says.</p> <p><strong>Tech gadgets</strong></p> <p>At the rate new technology comes out, a used phone or laptop from five years ago probably isn’t worth the buy.</p> <p>But last year’s model could be a great value without making you feel like a dinosaur.</p> <p>For instance, Apple sells certified refurbished laptops and computers with limited warranties.</p> <p>Head to a big-box store or phone carrier for a refurbished smartphone, which are usually good quality, says Shelton.</p> <p>Beware of buying used tech from companies you don’t know though.</p> <p>“It’s already an off-brand, cheaply made product,” he says.</p> <p>“If it’s been refurbished, it’s already had an issue, so there’s a pretty good chance it won’t last very long.”</p> <p><strong>Sports gear</strong></p> <p>Equipment for specific sports, like skis or golf clubs, are also a good idea to pick up used, says Shelton.</p> <p>Beginners often buy the items but don’t stick with the sport, meaning the gear is still in great condition.</p> <p>And if you don’t want to be that person shelling out hundreds on a sport you or your kid doesn’t love, you won’t lose much on a used version.</p> <p>“If you find out you don’t like it, you could sell it to someone else and save money in the process,” says Shelton.</p> <p><strong>Vehicles</strong></p> <p>“New cars lose considerable value as soon as they leave the dealership’s lot, so it’s always best to buy used,” says Woroch.</p> <p>Find a model that’s a year old and doesn’t have many miles for a like-new ride that costs way less.</p> <p>You can even find cars on sites like Gumtree or eBay, but don’t take the price at face value.</p> <p>Always negotiate with the seller.</p> <p><strong>Furniture</strong></p> <p>You can save tons of cash on furniture by buying preowned instead of new, especially if you shop at the right time.</p> <p>Tax season, spring-cleaning time, and the holidays usually have the best prices and most options because people are often trying to downsize or sell those big-ticket items, says Shelton.</p> <p><strong>Clothing</strong></p> <p>Thrifting your clothes can save you up to 90 percent on everything from jeans to tuxedos, says Woroch. Baby clothes are especially good to buy used.</p> <p>“They’re going to outgrow it so fast,” says Shelton.</p> <p>There’s a good chance the original buyers over-bought or received the outfits as gifts, so items are often like-new or even unworn.</p> <p>Low price tags make consignment shops a good way to test-run trends that you’re not sure you’ll stick with, says Shelton.</p> <p>Even if you get sick of that pair of jeans by next year, you won’t waste much money.</p> <p>Footwear is the one exception.</p> <p>Shoes tend to wear around a person’s specific foot shape, so a used pair probably won’t be too comfy, says Shelton.</p> <p>Cleaning antique clothing is an exercise in avoiding modern con­veniences, which are generally too harsh for fragile fabrics.</p> <p><strong>Musical instruments</strong></p> <p>Older models of musical instruments might actually be better quality than the ones you’ll find new on the shelf.</p> <p>“Corporations find ways to cut corners and use plastic vs. metal,” says Shelton.</p> <p>“Newer technology doesn’t have the same kind of tonal quality and build.”</p> <p>Do a bit of research before you buy, and test the instrument if you can.</p> <p><strong>Large appliances</strong></p> <p>Ask the sellers how long they’ve been using it, and test it to make sure it works before you put any money down.</p> <p>You could also head to an appliance repair shop to see if they’re selling refurbished items.</p> <p>“That’s a good buy if it’s a good price, because it’s been looked over by a technician who knows what they’re doing and can make sure it will work for you,” says Shelton.</p> <p>As a bonus, those shops will probably take your old one off your hands when they deliver the new-to-you one, so you don’t have a bulky appliance lying around.</p> <p><strong>Textbooks</strong></p> <p>“The unwritten rule is never buy textbooks new,” says Shelton.</p> <p>“Sometimes you find nice little gems in there, like people highlighted things on your test or let good notes.”</p> <p>Buying used textbooks used to be a wild race, but with eBooks surging, it’s easier to find what you want, he says.</p> <p><strong>Bikes</strong></p> <p>A new bicycle can cost hundreds of dollars, but a used one will cost a fraction of the price.</p> <p>You can even buy just the frame, and beef it up with more expensive parts from another seller, she says.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/money/youre-wasting-your-money-if-youre-buying-these-13-things-brand-new-condition?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. </em></p>

Home & Garden

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You’re wasting your money if you’re buying these 13 things in brand-new condition

<p>Used items can be the same great quality at a fraction of the price. Let someone else do all the hard work breaking these things in.</p> <p><strong>Exercise equipment</strong></p> <p>There’s a good chance exercise equipment like treadmills, ellipticals, and dumbbells, are still in good condition.</p> <p>“Many people buy these items with the intentions of starting a regimen but fall off quickly and then try to unload these bulky goods that take up too much room,” says consumer and money-saving expert Andrea Woroch.</p> <p>Just make sure to research the brand and test the equipment before you buy, she says. In addition to the usual spots like garage sales, a local gym that’s getting renovated might be selling old equipment at killer prices, says Woroch.</p> <p><strong>Hand tools</strong></p> <p>There are so many used hand tools like hammers and wrenches on the market that there’s no reason to buy new, says Shelton.</p> <p>If you’re on the market, he recommends checking out a surprising spot.</p> <p>“Pawnshops are a great place for used tools,” says Shelton.</p> <p>“A lot of times they’re coming from trade because people change jobs.”</p> <p><strong>Gift cards</strong></p> <p>“Buying gift cards used may seem like an unusual idea, but it’s actually becoming more mainstream as a unique way to save money,” says Woroch. You can save 10 to 30 percent on store credit at your go-to shops, or gift cards to give as presents, she says.</p> <p><strong>Tech gadgets</strong></p> <p>At the rate new technology comes out, a used phone or laptop from five years ago probably isn’t worth the buy.</p> <p>But last year’s model could be a great value without making you feel like a dinosaur.</p> <p>For instance, Apple sells certified refurbished laptops and computers with limited warranties.</p> <p>Head to a big-box store or phone carrier for a refurbished smartphone, which are usually good quality, says Shelton.</p> <p>Beware of buying used tech from companies you don’t know though.</p> <p>“It’s already an off-brand, cheaply made product,” he says.</p> <p>“If it’s been refurbished, it’s already had an issue, so there’s a pretty good chance it won’t last very long.”</p> <p><strong>Sports gear</strong></p> <p>Equipment for specific sports, like skis or golf clubs, are also a good idea to pick up used, says Shelton.</p> <p>Beginners often buy the items but don’t stick with the sport, meaning the gear is still in great condition.</p> <p>And if you don’t want to be that person shelling out hundreds on a sport you or your kid doesn’t love, you won’t lose much on a used version.</p> <p>“If you find out you don’t like it, you could sell it to someone else and save money in the process,” says Shelton.</p> <p><strong>Vehicles</strong></p> <p>“New cars lose considerable value as soon as they leave the dealership’s lot, so it’s always best to buy used,” says Woroch.</p> <p>Find a model that’s a year old and doesn’t have many miles for a like-new ride that costs way less.</p> <p>You can even find cars on sites like Gumtree or eBay, but don’t take the price at face value.</p> <p>Always negotiate with the seller.</p> <p><strong>Furniture</strong></p> <p>You can save tons of cash on furniture by buying preowned instead of new, especially if you shop at the right time.</p> <p>Tax season, spring-cleaning time, and the holidays usually have the best prices and most options because people are often trying to downsize or sell those big-ticket items, says Shelton.</p> <p>Even if your buy doesn’t look the right colour at first, you can easily treat and stain it.</p> <p><strong>Clothing</strong></p> <p>Thrifting your clothes can save you up to 90 percent on everything from jeans to tuxedos, says Woroch. Baby clothes are especially good to buy used.</p> <p>“They’re going to outgrow it so fast,” says Shelton.</p> <p>There’s a good chance the original buyers over-bought or received the outfits as gifts, so items are often like-new or even unworn.</p> <p>Low price tags make consignment shops a good way to test-run trends that you’re not sure you’ll stick with, says Shelton.</p> <p>Even if you get sick of that pair of jeans by next year, you won’t waste much money.</p> <p>Footwear is the one exception.</p> <p>Shoes tend to wear around a person’s specific foot shape, so a used pair probably won’t be too comfy, says Shelton.</p> <p>Cleaning antique clothing is an exercise in avoiding modern con­veniences, which are generally too harsh for fragile fabrics.</p> <p><strong>Musical instruments</strong></p> <p>Older models of musical instruments might actually be better quality than the ones you’ll find new on the shelf.</p> <p>“Corporations find ways to cut corners and use plastic vs. metal,” says Shelton.</p> <p>“Newer technology doesn’t have the same kind of tonal quality and build.”</p> <p>Do a bit of research before you buy, and test the instrument if you can.</p> <p><strong>Large appliances</strong></p> <p>Ask the sellers how long they’ve been using it, and test it to make sure it works before you put any money down.</p> <p>You could also head to an appliance repair shop to see if they’re selling refurbished items.</p> <p>“That’s a good buy if it’s a good price, because it’s been looked over by a technician who knows what they’re doing and can make sure it will work for you,” says Shelton.</p> <p>As a bonus, those shops will probably take your old one off your hands when they deliver the new-to-you one, so you don’t have a bulky appliance lying around.</p> <p><strong>Textbooks</strong></p> <p>“The unwritten rule is never buy textbooks new,” says Shelton.</p> <p>“Sometimes you find nice little gems in there, like people highlighted things on your test or let good notes.”</p> <p>Buying used textbooks used to be a wild race, but with eBooks surging, it’s easier to find what you want, he says.</p> <p><strong>Bikes</strong></p> <p>A new bicycle can cost hundreds of dollars, but a used one will cost a fraction of the price.</p> <p>You can even buy just the frame, and beef it up with more expensive parts from another seller, she says.</p> <p><em><span id="docs-internal-guid-e5703e99-7fff-6440-d47d-6cf00dc79d0b">Written by Marissa Laliberte. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/money/youre-wasting-your-money-if-youre-buying-these-13-things-brand-new-condition" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&amp;utm_medium=articles&amp;utm_campaign=RDSUB&amp;keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a></span></em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Money & Banking

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Cooking from meal boxes can cut household food waste

<p>The amount of food wasted by households each year was estimated at <a href="https://www.unep.org/resources/report/unep-food-waste-index-report-2021">570 million tonnes</a> in 2019. This is food that has been produced, packaged and taken to shops and homes, only to end up in the bin. Not only is the food wasted, but the greenhouse gases emitted during the entire process – from raising livestock, making packaging, transporting fruit and vegetables in refrigerated vehicles – are a pointless ecological burden.</p> <p>Once in landfills, the food rots and releases gases that are highly toxic for the environment, such as methane. Studies have shown that food waste accounts for between <a href="https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/fight-climate-change-by-preventing-food-waste">6-8%</a> of all the greenhouse gas emissions fuelling climate change. Food waste not only squanders natural resources, money and effort, it degrades the environment. It’s also ethically wrong to waste so much food while so many people are hungry.</p> <p>The fact that households waste such vast quantities of food in the first place may come as a surprise. Most people tend to believe they waste very little and often <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590289X19300234">trivialise the consequences</a> of wasted food. But the amount of food being sent to landfill suggests we are not so good at predicting how much food we actually need when cooking. One way to limit the chance of cooking too much or buying too many ingredients may be to cook from subscription meal boxes.</p> <p>In <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652622035739?via%3Dihub">a recent study</a>, we looked at whether cooking from meal boxes helps reduce food waste. Are people better off outsourcing part of the cooking process with a subscription that sends pre-portioned ingredients in the exact quantities needed for each recipe?</p> <p>Our research suggests that the answer is yes. We found that households wasted on average 38% less food when they prepared dinner using a meal box compared to when they bought the ingredients from a shop. This was largely due to there being less food left in pots and pans after cooking with a meal box.</p> <h2>Six countries, 914 kitchens, 8,747 meals</h2> <p>We surveyed 914 households from six countries (the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands) that subscribed to a meal box scheme during November and December 2019. A subscription meal box provider helped by allowing us to run our survey on their customers.</p> <p>Households reported the amount of food waste from multiple dinners over the course of four weeks. Participants weighed the food they wasted while preparing their dinner and the uneaten leftovers in pots and pans and on plates after the meal. We measured food waste from 8,747 meals, of which around a third were cooked using meal boxes. We compared the food waste from these dinners to the food waste that accumulated when people cooked a meal from scratch with store-bought ingredients.</p> <p>Our results showed that most of the food waste from dinner is food left in pots and pans that isn’t served and eaten, and is instead thrown away. Meal box dinners reduced this type of waste by 34% compared with store-bought equivalents. Meal box dinners also cut food waste during preparation by 45%, but increased the amount of food wasted as leftovers on plates compared to meals made with store-bought ingredients by 15%. This may be because these recipes offer instructions for how to arrange the food on a plate which can induce people to dole out larger portions before serving.</p> <p>Combining these three different types of food waste, cooking from meal boxes reduced how much food was wasted at dinner by more than a third compared to traditional meals. By providing people with ingredients in amounts tailored to the number of people eating in a household, meal box providers can offer a convenient way to cut waste.</p> <p>Even without subscribing to a meal box provider, our results suggest that taking care to measure and weigh the exact amount of ingredients you need before cooking is a good way to lower the amount of food sent to landfill.</p> <p>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/cooking-from-meal-boxes-can-cut-household-food-waste-by-38-new-research-192760">original article</a>.</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Mobile phone hoarding: e-waste not good news for the environment

<p>What happened to your previous mobile phone after you upgraded or replaced it? Did it go in a drawer? A box in the garage, perhaps?</p> <p>Today marks International E Waste Day, with this year’s slogan, “Recycle it all, no matter how small!”, specifically targeting small devices with a high recycling value that are often hoarded for years before they become waste.</p> <p>It’s a timely reminder, as results from surveys conducted across Europe suggest that the roughly 5.3 billion mobiles and smartphones dropping out of use this year would reach a height of around 50,000 km if stacked flat and on top of each other.</p> <p>That’s well-and-truly over the average orbiting height of the International Space Station and about an eighth of the distance to the moon.</p> <p>“In 2022 alone, small EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) items such as cell phones, electric toothbrushes, toasters and cameras produced worldwide will weigh an estimated total of 24.5 million tonnes – four times the weight of the Great Pyramid of Giza”, says Magdalena Charytanowicz of the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Forum, responsible for organising <a href="https://www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org/events/international-e-waste-day-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">International E Waste Day</a>. “And these small items make up a significant proportion of the 8% of all e-waste thrown into trash bins and eventually landfilled or incinerated.”</p> <p>With their valuable components of <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/critical-minerals-mining-australia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">gold, copper, silver, palladium and other materials</a>, mobile phones ranked fourth amongst small Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) hoarded or unrecoverably discarded – that is put in draws, cupboards or garages – rather than repaired or recycled – or sent to landfill or for incineration.</p> <p>The surveys ran for four months from June 2022 and covered 8,775 households across Portugal, Netherlands, Italy, Romani, Slovenia and the UK and asked participants about common items such as phones, tablets, laptops, electric tools, hair dryers, toasters and other appliances. The top five hoarded small EEE products were (in order): small electronics and accessories (e.g., headphones, remotes), small equipment (e.g., clocks, irons), small IT equipment (e.g., hard drives, routers, keyboards, mice), mobile and smartphones, small food preparation appliances (e.g., toasters, grills).</p> <p>Italy hoarded the highest number of small EEE products, while Lebanon hoarded the least.</p> <p>You might recognise some of the reasons given, which included potential future use, plans to sell or give away, sentimental value, future value, use in a secondary residence or contains sensitive data. Others were also unsure how to dispose of the item or felt there was no incentive to recycle it, and some argued that they’d forgotten, didn’t have time or that the item didn’t take up very much space.</p> <p>This is a shame because such items, despite being small, pack a big punch in recyclability.</p> <div class="newsletter-box"> <div id="wpcf7-f6-p218602-o1" class="wpcf7" dir="ltr" lang="en-US" role="form"> <form class="wpcf7-form mailchimp-ext-0.5.62 spai-bg-prepared init" action="/earth/e-waste-mobile-phone-bad-news-environment/#wpcf7-f6-p218602-o1" method="post" novalidate="novalidate" data-status="init"> <p style="display: none !important;"><span class="wpcf7-form-control-wrap referer-page"><input class="wpcf7-form-control wpcf7-text referer-page" name="referer-page" type="hidden" value="https://cosmosmagazine.com/" data-value="https://cosmosmagazine.com/" aria-invalid="false" /></span></p> <p><!-- Chimpmail extension by Renzo Johnson --></form> </div> </div> <p>“We focussed this year on small e-waste items because it is very easy for them to accumulate unused and unnoticed in households, or to be tossed into the ordinary garbage bin”, says Pascal Leroy, Director General of the WEEE Forum, who have organised International E Waste Day. “People tend not to realise that all these seemingly insignificant items have a lot of value, and together at a global level represent massive volumes.”</p> <p>“These devices offer many important resources that can be used in the production of new electronic devices or other equipment, such as wind turbines, electric car batteries or solar panels – all crucial for the green, digital transition to low-carbon societies,” says Charytanowicz.</p> <h4>What can be done about e-waste?</h4> <p>At the governmental level, there are a number of initiatives including legislation that are coming into effect or being tightened up in order to address this increasing problem.</p> <p>“The continuing growth in the production, consumption and disposal of electronic devices has huge environmental and climate impacts,” says Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries. “The European Commission is addressing those with proposals and measures throughout the whole product life-cycle, starting from design until collection and proper treatment when electronics become waste.”</p> <p>“Moreover, preventing waste and recovering important raw materials from e-waste is crucial to avoid putting more strain on the world’s resources. Only by establishing a <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/can-a-circular-economy-eliminate-e-waste/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">circular economy</a> for electronics, the EU will continue to lead in the efforts to urgently address the fast-growing problem of e-waste.”</p> <p>There is also a role for more education and communication.</p> <p>Launched today by UNITAR, the UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), is the first self-paced e-waste<a href="https://www.uncclearn.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> online training course</a> open to anyone. A UNITAR certificate is available upon graduation of the roughly 1.5-hour course which aims to use scientific findings in a practical way for international training and capacity building,” says Nikhil Seth, UNITAR’s Executive Director.</p> <p>Finally, The WEEE Forum has been actively involved in collecting, de-polluting, recycling or preparing for re-use more than 30 million tonnes of WEEE and has also run communication campaigns for almost twenty years.</p> <p>“Providing collection boxes in supermarkets, pick up of small broken appliances upon delivery of new ones and offering PO Boxes to return small e-waste are just some of the initiatives introduced to encourage the return of these items,” says WEEE’s Leroy.</p> <p>At the personal level, all you have to do is quite your hoarding habits and recycle, instead!</p> <p><!-- Start of tracking content syndication. Please do not remove this section as it allows us to keep track of republished articles --></p> <p><img id="cosmos-post-tracker" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=218602&amp;title=Mobile+phone+hoarding%3A+e-waste+not+good+news+for+the+environment" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><!-- End of tracking content syndication --></p> <div id="contributors"> <p><em><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/e-waste-mobile-phone-bad-news-environment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/clare-kenyon" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Clare Kenyon</a>. </em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p> </div>

Technology

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Why people stay in unhappy relationships

<p>Why is it that so many people stick it out in relationships that are clearly not working? It could be something to do with the sunk cost effect of the relationship – they’ve already invested so much time and effort into it that they aren’t willing to just let it go.</p> <p>It’s a bit like spending money on an old car when you know it’s not going to last much longer – but you’ve already spent so much on it and owned it for so long that you find it hard to cut your losses and move on.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-016-9529-9">In a study</a></strong></span> released in late 2016 in Current Psychology, researchers found that people tended to focus more on how much time they’ve been in a relationship as a way of determining whether it was worth sticking with (even if it wasn’t the right partnership for them). So people felt as though they would rather stay in the relationship than feel as though they had somehow wasted the last few years of their life.</p> <p>The study gave participants different scenarios, and they were asked to decide whether they would ‘stay or go’ in the relationship. The results showed that participants were willing to spend more time trying to fix a longer term (say, ten year) relationship than if it was shorter term (such as one year).</p> <p>They key takeaway for the findings then, could be that if a relationship doesn’t feel right in the beginning, don’t wait too long to end it. Or you could find yourself stuck in a loveless relationship because your brain tells you that it’s better than having wasted all that time.</p> <p>Do you know anyone who has fallen victim to the sunk cost effect in love?</p> <p><em>Image: Getty</em></p>

Relationships

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6 ways to reduce food waste

<p>Up to 30% of the food we buy is wasted, at an estimated national cost of over $5 billion a year. However, there are many ways you can reduce your food waste, and it starts just by being aware of your habits both in the kitchen and while shopping for food. Change can easily happen just by putting conscious effort into everyday actions to live a more sustainable life.</p> <p><strong>1. Use up leftovers</strong></p> <p>Instead of throwing out half heads of broccoli or cauliflower, or binning half a capsicum, turn them into soups, sauté them for a side dish or chop or shred them into salads. Save any vegetable peelings and trimmings to make stock. Onion ends, carrot and potato peelings – anything goes when it comes to stock. Freeze it in usable portions for easy use in meals. Also think about repurposing leftovers i.e. plan for the leftover roast chicken to become tomorrow night’s casserole or stir-fry.</p> <p><strong>2. Be creative</strong></p> <p>Got some sad, ugly looking apples? Make apple sauce. Squishy tomatoes? Tomato sauce. Just because some produce was forgotten in your fridge a few extra days doesn’t mean that it needs to be thrown away. Many fruits and vegetables that you mightn’t want to eat whole are still fine for juicing, smoothies or can be frozen for future use.</p> <p><strong>3. Store it properly</strong></p> <p>Fresh herbs and delicate lettuces last longer if removed from the original packaging, washed, dried and stored in resealable plastic bags. Some fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, apples, oranges, potatoes, onions and garlic, are best stored at room temperature instead of in the refrigerator. Meat, fish and plenty of leftovers can also be frozen for later use. Use proper airtight containers for most things including grains and flours to help optimise shelf life.</p> <p><strong>4. Compost</strong></p> <p>Whether you have a compost at home for your garden or a kitchen waste Insinkerator system, not throwing perished food into the garbage will keep it out of landfill and reduce the environmental consequences of food waste. Composting is also a natural way of returning nutrients to the soil if you have a garden at home.</p> <p><strong>5. Make lists and meal plans</strong></p> <p>Don’t go overboard on the organisation here, but do think ahead before doing big grocery shops. Think of what you’ll make during the week so that you have the right ingredients in quantities that won’t go to waste. And when the ingredients in your home don’t make an obvious meal, revert back to number two, and try to be creative and flexible in what you eat. You can find a recipe online to use up just about anything. Sticking to your shopping list will also reduce impulse buys.</p> <p><strong>6. Keep an eye on your use by dates</strong></p> <p>Cut down on waste by not letting food go out of date. Be conscious that “use-by” is a food safety guide and literally means don’t eat after the end of the “use-by date”, but “best before” is a quality guide and you may still use it after the “best before date” as long as the item isn’t not damaged, deteriorated or perished.</p> <p>Image: Getty</p>

Food & Wine

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Major change being trialled in Coles to reduce waste

<p dir="ltr">Coles has announced that they will be removing plastic bags from their fruits and vegetables section in a bid to reduce the use of single plastic.</p> <p dir="ltr">The supermarket will trial the removal of plastic bags at their ACT stores from 31 August until 13 September.</p> <p dir="ltr">Customers will be required to bring their own bags from home or can otherwise purchase reusable mesh fresh produce bags.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a bid to help customers, shoppers who spend $5 in store on fruit and veggies will receive a free 3-pack of reusable mesh fresh produce bags that is made from 90 per cent recycled materials. </p> <p dir="ltr">Once the trial is over, all 12 Coles stores will have single use bags for fresh produce removed from September 14.</p> <p dir="ltr">Coles Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells explained that the initiative is one of the many ways the supermarket is looking to reduce waste.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Under our Together to Zero waste ambition, we are always looking for ways to reduce reliance on unnecessary and problematic single-use plastics packaging and provide sustainable solutions to our customers,” he said. </p> <p dir="ltr">“This will be the first time a major Australian supermarket will trial a completely reusable method of helping customers purchase their fresh fruit and veggies. </p> <p dir="ltr">“We will be looking closely at how our ACT customers respond. These insights will inform our consideration for potentially rolling this out to our customers nationally.”</p> <p dir="ltr">It comes as Coles rolled out fresh produce bags nationally that are made from 50 per cent recycled plastic.</p> <p dir="ltr">The bags can be returned to REDcycle bins at Coles supermarkets to be recycled. </p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Supplied</em></p>

Food & Wine

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“Don’t waste my time”: Elle Ferguson and Joel Patfull face heat on The Block

<p dir="ltr">Elle Ferguson and Joel Patfull have been the subject of savage comments during their incredibly short stint on the newest season of <em>The Block</em>, with <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/property/real-estate/scott-cam-speaks-from-the-heart-about-block-stars-abrupt-exit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">even Scott Cam making his feelings known</a> about the pair.</p> <p dir="ltr">The influencer and former AFL star left the show’s Gisbourne set after just two days amid reports they flew to Adelaide to care for Patfull’s mother after a fall.</p> <p dir="ltr">Though they appeared ready to take on the challenges ahead during the show’s first episode, one fellow contestant had plenty of criticism.</p> <p dir="ltr">Sarah-Jane, who is competing with her husband Tom, said she recognised Ferguson “straight away”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She’s already famous, she’s got 600,000 followers on Instagram, she’s got s**tloads of money, why are they here?” she fumed to producers.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a pre-show interview, the mother-of-one had plenty to say about influencers such as Ferguson.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Social influencers … Some I respect obviously,” she began.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b8f40c87-7fff-fa98-f263-27d8b50deb20"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“Some make a huge career out of it! Look at your Kim Kardashians and your Rozalia Russians and people like that … Bec Judd! Good on them. But people who just go on shows to (boost their) social media, I don’t have time for that s**t. Like, don’t waste my time.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgdGlB1op2b/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CgdGlB1op2b/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Block (@theblock)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr"><em>Block</em> host Scott Cam also shared his thoughts on the pair through veiled digs in voiceovers throughout episode one.</p> <p dir="ltr">In one, he described Ferguson as a “self-confessed global influencer and beauty entrepreneur”, referring to the couple as “Bondi babes” in another instance.</p> <p dir="ltr">Cam’s comments in the episode come after he suggested in several interviews that Ferguson and Patfull left the show within 48 hours of arriving because they weren’t up to the challenge, and not because of Patfull’s mother’s ill-health.</p> <p dir="ltr">The reality show host has sledged the pair for leaving so soon, calling it “p*ss poor” and “unAustralian” behaviour, telling <em><a href="https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/reality-tv/elle-ferguson-and-joel-patfull-savaged-by-block-contestant-sarah-jane-in-episode-one/news-story/cb130fbed0572e46a989774816309bed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a></em> in the lead-up to the premiere that they left in the middle of the night with “no explanation”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“They didn’t give us a reason why they were leaving. They never mentioned anything to us about visiting their sick mother,” Scott said.</p> <p dir="ltr">His shock at their exit has also featured in promos for episode two.</p> <p dir="ltr">The first episode also saw Ferguson appearing to find some aspects of the competition difficult, admitting that “it was a little intimidating” walking into the building site of House Three.</p> <p dir="ltr">“It was a demolition site, and when I say demolition site, you couldn’t see the ground,” she said.</p> <p dir="ltr">After the first night, she told producers: “I did think someone was going to come and maybe say here’s a heater … but no … it was fresh.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-271ecc00-7fff-20cc-8f6f-4703f6751d6b"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Nine</em></p>

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Plastic pollution on Australia’s coasts has decreased by 29% since 2013

<p>Plastic pollution is an escalating global problem. Australia now produces 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, while world-wide production is expected to double by 2040.</p> <p>This pollution doesn’t just accumulate on our beaches: it can be found on land and other marine environments (heard of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch?)</p> <p>But according to a new study by Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, plastic pollution on Australia’s coasts has decreased by 29% since 2013.</p> <p>The study, which assessed waste reduction efforts in Australia and their effect on coastal pollution, highlights that although Australia’s plastic use has remained constant since 2013, local governments are getting better at preventing and cleaning up pollution.</p> <p>“Our research set out to identify the local government approaches that have been most effective in reducing coastal plastics and identify the underlying behaviours that can lead to the greatest reduction in plastic pollution,” says lead researcher Dr Kathryn Willis, a recent PhD graduate from the University of Tasmania.</p> <p>“Whilst plastic pollution is still a global crisis and we still have a long way to go, this research shows that decisions made on the ground, at local management levels, are crucial for the successful reduction of coastal plastic pollution,” she adds.</p> <p>The study has been published in One Earth.</p> <p><strong>Local government approaches work</strong></p> <p>The new research builds upon extensive 2013 CSIRO coastal litter surveys with 563 new surveys and interviews with waste managers across 32 local governments around Australia completed in 2019.</p> <p>The results found that, although there was a decrease in the overall national average coastal pollution by 29%, some surveyed municipalities showed an increase in local litter by up to 93%, while others decreased by up to 73%.</p> <p>Since global plastic pollution is driven by waste reduction strategies at a local level (regardless of where the pollution originates), researchers then focused on identifying which local government approaches had the greatest effect on these levels of coastal pollution.</p> <p>To do this they sorted local government waste management actions into three categories of human behaviour, including:</p> <p><strong>Planned behaviour – </strong>strategies like recycling guides, information and education programs, and voluntary clean-up initiatives.</p> <p><strong>Crime prevention –</strong> waste management strategies like illegal dumping surveillance and beach cleaning by local governments.</p> <p><strong>Economic – </strong>actions like kerb-side waste and recycling collection, hard waste collections and shopping bag bans.</p> <p>They found that retaining and maintaining efforts in economic waste management strategies had the largest effect on reducing coastal litter.</p> <p>“For example, household collection services, where there are multiple waste and recycling streams, makes it easier for community members to separate and discard their waste appropriately,” says co-author Dr Denise Hardesty, a principal research scientist at CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere.</p> <p>“Our research showed that increases in waste levies had the second largest effect on decreases in coastal plastic pollution. Local governments are moving away from a collect and dump mindset to a sort and improve approach,” adds Hardesty.</p> <p>Clean-up activities, such as Clean Up Australia Day, and surveillance programs that directly involved members of the community were also effective.</p> <p>“Increasing community stewardship of the local environment and beaches has huge benefits. Not only does our coastline become cleaner, but people are more inclined to look out for bad behaviour, even using dumping hotlines to report illegal polluting activity,” says Hardesty.</p> <p><strong>Another piece of the solution to our plastics problem</strong></p> <p>This isn’t the be-all and end-all solution to Australia’s plastics problem – let alone globally – but this research does provide decision-makers with empirical evidence that the choices made by municipal waste managers and policymakers are linked to reductions in plastic pollution in the environment.</p> <p>Identifying the most effective approaches for reducing coastal litter is an important part of future plastic pollution reduction strategies. The CSIRO’s Ending Plastic Waste Mission is aiming for an 80% reduction in plastic waste entering the Australian environment by 2030.</p> <p>“While we still have a long way to go, and the technical challenges are enormous, these early results show that when we each play to our individual strengths, from community groups, industry, government and research organisations, and we take the field as Team Australia, then we can win,” says Dr Larry Marshall, chief executive of CSIRO.</p> <p><em><strong>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/australia-coastal-plastic-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Imma Perfetto.</strong></em></p> <p><em>Image: Shutterstock</em></p>

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Five ways to reduce waste (and save money) on your home renovation

<p>On average, renovating a home generates <a href="https://ascelibrary.org/doi/10.1061/%28ASCE%290733-9364%281996%29122%3A1%2855%29">far more waste</a> than building a new one from scratch. </p> <p>This waste goes straight to landfill, damaging the environment. It also hurts your budget: first you have to pay for demolition, then the new materials, and then disposal of leftover building products.</p> <p>By keeping waste in mind from the start and following some simple guidelines, you can reduce the waste created by your home renovation.</p> <h2>1. It starts with the design</h2> <p>Waste is often treated as inevitable, factored into a building budget with no serious attempt to reduce it.</p> <p>By raising the issue early with your architect, designer or builder, they can make decisions at the design stage that reduce waste later. Often the designers and architects don’t see their decisions contributing to waste – or rather, they don’t really think about it. </p> <p>During my research on reducing construction waste, I asked one architect what he thought happens to the waste generated. He laughed with a glint in his eyes and said, “I think it disappears into pixie dust!” </p> <p>One simple early decision that dramatically reduces waste is designing with material sizes in mind. If you have a ceiling height that does not match the plasterboard sheet, you end up with a tiny little strip that has to be cut out of a full sheet. In the case of bricks, not matching the ceiling height is even more wasteful. </p> <p>Obviously not all materials will work together at their standard sizes (and you need to fit your renovation to the existing house). But sensitive design can make intelligent trade-offs, reducing overall waste. </p> <p>When I asked architects why they don’t design zero-waste buildings more often, they said clients don’t ask for it. Make it part of your brief, and ask the architect how they can save money by using the materials efficiently.</p> <h2>2. Get your builder involved early</h2> <p>If you’re using an architect for your renovation, it’s common to have very little collaboration between them and the builder. Any errors or issues are usually spotted after construction has begun, requiring expensive and wasteful rework. </p> <p>Instead, ask your architect and builder to collaborate on a waste management plan. Such integrated approaches have worked well in <a href="https://www.pwc.com.au/legal/assets/collaborative-contracting-mar18.pdf">Australia and the United States</a>. </p> <p>This means clients, engineers and builders are collaborating, rather than taking adversarial roles. For such contracts to work, it’s important to involve all parties early in the project, and to encourage cooperation.</p> <p>The briefing stage is an opportunity for architects, quantity surveyors and builders to work together to identify a waste minimisation target.</p> <h2>3. Whatever you do, don’t change your mind</h2> <p>One the biggest contributions to waste on sites is late design changes. Client-led design changes are identified in all literature as having far-reaching implications on waste. </p> <p>These are mostly due to owners changing their mind once something is built. Reworking any part of a building due to design changes can account for as much as <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/283714629_Impacts_Of_Design_Changes_on_Construction_Project_Performance_Insights_From_A_Literature_Review">50% of the cost overrun</a>, as well as causing delays and generating waste.</p> <p>The early work with your design and construction team outlined in the first steps gives you the chance to make sure you’re committed to your original design. Skimping in the planning stage can end up costing you far more in the long run. </p> <h2>4. Deconstruction, not demolition</h2> <p>Ask your builder not to demolish the building, but to deconstruct it. Deconstruction means taking a building apart and recovering materials for recycling and reuse. This provides opportunities for sorting materials on site. </p> <p>Salvaged materials can be resold to the community or reused in the renovations. It greatly reduces the tip fees which are usually higher for mixed waste (typical from demolition process) and lower for sorted waste. </p> <p>Of course this takes more time and has an additional cost. Therefore you do have to balance the cost of deconstruction against the savings.</p> <p>Denmark, which recycles <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/studies/deliverables/CDW_Denmark_Factsheet_Final.pdf">86% of its construction waste</a>, has made it mandatory for all government buildings to undergo selective demolition and sorting of construction waste. A good place to start in Australia is your state environment department, which may have <a href="https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/-/media/epa/corporate-site/resources/managewaste/100080-house-deconstruction.pdf?la=en&amp;hash=CD70BEEF7EC72CEBC3641F46F1DBE19862DAED1D">guidelines</a> on what is involved.</p> <h2>5. Choose materials carefully</h2> <p>Good-quality materials last longer, reducing maintenance later. Choosing manufacturers that use minimal packaging also reduces waste (be careful here to check the difference between “minimal” and “inadequate” packaging, as the latter can mean your <a href="http://eprints.uwe.ac.uk/30123/7/Saheed%20Thesis_Final%20Copy.pdf">material breaks</a>).</p> <p>Reusing materials from your renovation may also be an option (you will need to discuss this with architect and builder at the beginning of the project). Finally, using materials with recycled content is a great option, and boosts our recycling industry. </p> <p>In March 2017 the <a href="https://hia.com.au/-/media/HIA-Website/Files/Media-Centre/Media-Releases/2017/national/Home-Renovations-Australias-Next-Building-Boom.ashx">Housing Industry Association</a> released data suggesting the Australian residential building industry will increasingly become more dependent on renovation work rather than new construction,</p> <p>If you’re renovating your home, making efficiency and low waste a priority helps cut costs and reduce landfill.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p> <p><em>This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/five-ways-to-reduce-waste-and-save-money-on-your-home-renovation-103942" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.</em></p>

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