When we talk about waste, we're really talking about stuff; the things we consume, Gina Dempster writes.
The production and disposal of stuff is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, estimated to be 40% of United States emissions by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
One of the most effective ways to reduce these emissions is to stop wasting stuff.
Instead of waste prevention being an afterthought, it has to be at the centre of the design process.
Willliam McDonough came up with the phrase ''cradle to cradle'' to describe a new paradigm in which waste is designed out.
Stuff which reaches the end of its life becomes the inputs for the next round of production.
It will take time to move the current ''make, use, dispose'' model into a new circular economy.
But we don't have to wait to act.
The good old mantra ''reduce, reuse, recycle'' tells us the best place to start to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions linked to waste.
REDUCE
Choose not to use single-use items.
Plastic bags, bottled water and disposable cutlery are used for only a few minutes, but require a complicated production and transportation system that sucks up energy and resources.
Shop for quality and buy something you really love which is going to last a long time.
If your other half quibbles over the bill, explain that you did it for the climate.
REUSE AND REPAIR
Phones and computers usually become obsolete before they wear out, so it's no wonder that electronic waste is the world's fastest-growing waste stream.
Google has responded to the demand for a phone that can be upgraded and is developing a phone with modular parts.
The launch date for Project Ara is expected to be some time in 2016.
You can avoid the chronic slowdown of your smartphone or computer by searching online for information about how to keep yours functioning well.
Doing some electronic housework can mean it lasts a bit longer before you have to buy a new one.
There's a creative challenge in upcycling an object or op-shopping for a new outfit.
With the money you save, you can treat yourself to something expensive that's going to stay in style for years.
THE BENEFITS
Anything that stays useful for longer means we don't have to use new materials or transport new stuff around the world.
There's also something really satisfying about taking something that is past its best and making it beautiful again.
RECYCLE
Recycling captures materials so they can be used again.
We're used to recycling packaging materials such as cardboard and glass, but you can also recycle phones, computers, household appliances, car batteries and polystyrene.
Check with your local community recycler or council to see what's accepted locally.
THE BENEFITS
The main impact is avoiding greenhouse gases because less raw materials need to be extracted and less energy has to be used in manufacturing.
The savings can be massive.
For example, recycling an aluminium can uses less than 5% of the energy used to make the original can.
Gina Dempster is communications officer at Wanaka Wastebusters.
