Page 13 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 3_2023

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powered lights available for those to clear out, clean and re-pack your By the way, old medicines should
times. cutlery drawers. never be flushed down the toilet or
down the drain – or thrown into the
WHERE TO START? IN THE BEDROOM municipal refuse bin. Most pharmacies
Two of the most neglected areas in A lot of people who live in colder will accept expired medicines and
most homes are the kitchen and the climates actually pack away their winter have arrangements to dispose of them
wardrobes. If you have the time and clothes in summer and swop their responsibly.
you’re not concerned about flagging clothes over when the days get colder
energy levels, planning two hours again. One should never have too much E-WASTE
sorting through one of your wardrobes clothing crammed in the cupboards, as The next area that you should tackle is
and two hours in a specific area of your this will lead to unnecessary creasing. your store of old cell phones, laptops,
kitchen could be a good way to vary tablets, chargers and cables. Cell phones
your activities. The experts advise you Recycling of clothing is also a good that are positively pre-historic are not
to start small, tackle the tasks in bite- way to reduce your carbon footprint, worth keeping as most often their
sized chunks and finish them before so decide on a charity or find a charity technology is obsolete and if the hardware
you move on to the next area. shop near you where you can drop off breaks, it can’t be repaired. Find an
all your unwanted clothes. Knowing e-waste disposal depot and clear away
IN THE KITCHEN that you will be benefitting someone anything that you can’t use anymore.
The first task would be to unpack that else will help to make the decision of
grocery cupboard and throw out all what to keep and what to discard easier The same goes for old appliances that
food items that are beyond their best – and the rule here is, if it doesn’t fit you may have replaced. There are
before expiry dates. Then repack your you and/or you haven’t worn it for six service providers who are willing to
cupboard with similar ingredients months or more, throw it out! collect old appliances if you need to
grouped together – after you’ve dispose of them, so keep their numbers
wiped the dust off all the shelves, of THE BATHROOM handy and give them a call. Remember,
course. Medicines are another area where too, that older models of appliances
checking the expiry dates is very are most likely also energy-guzzlers,
Spices and herbs would be your next important. It’s amazing how quickly so replacing them with newer, more
stop – and keep a pen and paper time flies – and how often the anti- eco-friendly models, if your budget
handy to note down any essentials inflammatory capsules, pain tablets will allow it, could save your electricity
that you’ve had to throw out, that will and cough mixtures are way past their consumption in the long run.
need replacing. Then move on to your expiry dates at the very time that you
refrigerator – condiments, mayonnaise, need them the most. When it comes to With the fast pace of life that we
salad dressing are the main culprits generic, off the counter medicines, it’s find ourselves leading, time is of the
here. The remnants of almost finished best to buy smaller packs more often essence – why not take the ‘do it now’
bottles often lurk at the back of the rather than go for a bulk buy or three- approach and get started today? You’ll
shelves – be kind to them, wash out for-two special offer. be glad that you took the plunge when
the contents and add the containers to you’re done.
your recycling. Shampoos, conditioners, creams,
sunscreens and the like are a bit like SOME USEFUL CONTACTS:
Pack away all appliances that you those condiments in the fridge – SoSorted by Kirsten Jensen –
seldom use in easily-accessible places remnants left at the bottom of bottles, www.sosorted.co.za
under the counters. Re-evaluate pushed to the back of the shelves and www.electronicrecycling.co.za
whether your pots, pans, trays, forgotten are merely collecting dust. www.computerscraprecycling.co.za
crockery and glasses are stored in the Throw out the contents and recycle the www.erecycling.co.za
right cupboards – and don’t forget containers. www.africaewaste.co.za

16 DPL issue 9 2022
10 DPL issue 3 2023