Is there a bad odour coming from outside your home that is causing you much stress and anxiety? Perhaps your bins are filling up too quickly and you always seem to have to stack your bin bags before collection day. Whatever the case, it could be a sign that you are producing too much household waste.
Certainly, Thailand’s waste collection services need a good overhaul and have been struggling in recent years, however, there is much that you can do to help lower your waste creation and keep those bad odours at bay. In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
Why are my bins overflowing?
So, just why are your bins overflowing? Again, the fact that Thailand’s waste management system could do with some refinement will certainly be a big contributing factor to your bins being full. However, there’s a very good chance that you are producing far too much waste.
- Are you buying products with unnecessary plastic packaging?
- How many times a week do you order takeaway food from restaurants that come in wasteful packaging?
- How well are you portioning your food? Are you perhaps putting too much food on your table and having to throw out leftovers?
- Do you plan your weekly meals or do you decide what you want to eat on the day?
- How often do you keep and reuse leftovers? Do you throw all of your food waste out?
- Are you separating your recyclables or do you throw everything into the same bin?
- Where do you keep your bins when you are filling them up throughout the week? If they are outside on the street, it could be that other people are adding waste to your bins as well.
- In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, have you found yourself working from home? Many people who are hybrid working or working from home entirely are ultimately creating more household waste as they are spending more time cooking or ordering food delivery and eating at home – thus increasing the amount of household waste that they produce.
These are all important questions that you must ask yourself if your bins seem to end up overflowing every week.
When are the bins collected in Thailand?
The bins are collected on different days and at varying intervals depending on where you live in Thailand. If you are not quite certain what day your bins are supposed to be collected, your best bet is to contact your local council for more information.
As a rule of thumb, they should be collected and emptied at least once a week. In some areas, they’re emptied less frequently and it can be every 10 days.
In any case, there are some serious issues within Thailand’s waste management system at the moment – particularly in Bangkok. As a result, there simply aren’t enough garbage trucks operating in some areas, leading to a build-up of trash.
So, what do you do about it? Should you take matters into your own hands and buy another bin to counteract the overflow? While that is one option, it doesn’t change the fact that trash left for too long under the sun begins to rot and create a terrible odour – not to mention attract soi dogs, rats and other pests like cockroaches.
The main thing that you can do, is to try and reduce your household waste. At least then, you’ll be taking matters into your own hands – while reducing the amount of pressure on the already stretched waste management system – and reducing the odours around your home.
How can I reduce my waste?
There are many things that you can do to reduce your overall waste production. The first and most effective of which is to invest in a Hass electric food waste composter.
Buying an electric food waste composter will allow you to significantly cut down on the food waste that you produce – in particular, the smelly food leftovers that begin to rot under the heat of the sun, attracting all manner of pests.
Rather than throw food waste straight into your bin, you can add it to your composter. The food waste is then reduced in size and transformed into fertiliser that you can use to feed your household plants.
If you don’t have any household plants, we highly advise that you get some – particularly when coupled with a food waste composter. Not only can you use plants to make your home more beautiful, but you can grow your own fruit and vegetables, create more, cleaner oxygen, and even alleviate your stress levels (among many other benefits).
When you are growing your own food at home, you’ll be significantly reducing the amount of waste you produce – especially from store-bought produce that may come with plastic packaging.
Simply put, an electric food waste composter is the perfect solution to your overflowing bin situation – and not only does it solve one problem, but it can enrich your life in a multitude of other ways as well.
Other ways to reduce your household waste include:
- Use reusable bottles and cups for beverages on the go.
- Use bags for life – rather than store-bought plastic bags.
- Strive to purchase products with smart and eco-friendly packaging.
- Compost your food waste.
- Try to avoid single-use food and drink containers and utensils (pot noodles, etc.).
- Donate old clothes, furniture, and items, rather than discard them in the bin.
- Shop local and/or grow your own food.
- Reduce your use of paper (go electronic with bank statements, etc.).
- Plan your weekly food schedule.
- Reduce your portion sizes.
- Always store and consume your leftovers (unless composting).
- Eat out and support local restaurants and food stalls.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many steps that you can take to help reduce the amount of waste that your household produces. The main thing is to be more conscious about the decisions you make in your day-to-day life. Everything that you do has an impact, and being more considerate of your carbon footprint can enrich your life in a great many ways.