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– remnants left at the bottom of
bottles, pushed to the back of the
shelves and forgotten are merely
collecting dust. Throw out the
contents and recycle the containers.

By the way, old medicines should
never be flushed down the toilet
or down the drain – or thrown into
the municipal refuse bin. Most
pharmacies will accept expired
medicines and have arrangements
to dispose of them responsibly.

e-WASTe
The next area that you should tackle
is your store of old cell phones,
laptops, tablets, chargers and cables.
Cell phones that are positively pre-
historic are not worth keeping as most
often their technology is obsolete
and if the hardware breaks, it can’t
be repaired. Find an e-waste disposal
depot and clear away anything
that you can’t use anymore.

to your refrigerator – condiments, way to reduce your carbon footprint, The same goes for old appliances
mayonnaise, salad dressing are the so decide on a charity or find a charity that you may have replaced. There
main culprits here. The remnants of shop near you where you can drop off are service providers who are
almost finished bottles often lurk at all your unwanted clothes. Knowing willing to collect old appliances if
the back of the shelves – be kind to that you will be benefitting someone you need to dispose of them, so
them, wash out the contents and add else will help to make the decision keep their numbers handy and
the containers to your recycling. of what to keep and what to discard give them a call. Remember, too,
easier – and the rule here is, if it doesn’t that older models of appliances are
Pack away all appliances that you fit you and/or you haven’t worn it for most likely also energy-guzzlers, so
seldom use in easily-accessible six months or more, throw it out! replacing them with newer, more
places under the counters. Re- eco-friendly models, if your budget
evaluate whether your pots, pans, The BAThRooM will allow it, could save your electricity
trays, crockery and glasses are Medicines are another area where consumption in the long run.
stored in the right cupboards – and checking the expiry dates is very
don’t forget to clear out, clean and important. It’s amazing how quickly With the fast pace of life that we
re-pack your cutlery drawers. time flies – and how often the anti- find ourselves leading, time is of
inflammatory capsules, pain tablets the essence – why not take the ‘do
IN The BeDRooM and cough mixtures are way past it now’ approach and get started
A lot of people who live in colder their expiry dates at the very time today? You’ll be glad that you took
climates actually pack away their that you need them the most. When the plunge when you’re done.
winter clothes in summer and it comes to generic, off the counter
swop their clothes over when the medicines, it’s best to buy smaller Some useful contacts:
days get colder again. One should packs more often rather than go for a SoSorted by Kirsten Jensen
never have too much clothing bulk buy or three-for-two special offer. – www.sosorted.co.za
jammed in the cupboards, as this www.electronicrecycling.co.za
will lead to unnecessary creasing. Shampoos, conditioners, creams, www.computerscraprecycling.co.za
sun screens and the like are a bit www.erecycling.co.za
Recycling of clothing is also a good like those condiments in the fridge www.africaewaste.co.za

Waterfall Issue 1 2020 41