We can all play a part in protecting our environment by upping our efforts to recycle, re-use and reduce waste.

One of the biggest things we can do is reduce plastic consumption. The problem with plastic is that while it is designed to last forever, we use it in massive quantities every day for disposable items that are thrown away.

Plastic pollution is a particular threat to our marine environment – in fact, it is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the world's oceans.

There are some easy ways to reduce your plastic footprint. Always use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags and avoid unnecessary plastic packaging by buying bulk foods.

Even small steps help, such as buying washing powder in boxes instead of plastic bottles and re-using water bottles.

To learn more about the impact our waste has on the environment and what we can do about it, head along to one of these awesome events this week.

Zero Waste Zone Open Day

9am – 1pm Saturday 17 September, Waitākere Refuse and Recycling Station

Discover exciting ways to repurpose and rethink waste at the interactive Zero Waste Zone at this rare open day.

Visitors can wander the experience trail, which is built completely from waste materials that have been given a second life, where they can see how nature makes no waste, get close up to worms and an e opportunity to get your hands dirty in the Make Space zone, equipped with real tools for turning rubbish into sculptures, instruments, games and more, before heading across to see the daily mountain of waste heading for disposal at the transfer station.

Green Bay Street Food

5pm-8pm Friday 16 September, 1 Barron Drive, Green Bay (behind New World)

For gourmet street eats that are also easy on the environment, head to Green Bay for a Friday feast.

Aside from offering tempting food treats, organisers want to educate people on how to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill and show sustainable options. Composting and recycling facilities are available at the event.

For more information on Green Bay Street Food can be found here.  

Compost Collective

At least 50 per cent of household rubbish is organic waste such as food scraps and garden waste, so composting is a great way to keep waste out of landfill.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about composting, worm farming and Bokashi, the Compost Collective offers free workshops across Auckland including these running during Conservation Week:

• 10am–12pm Saturday 10 September Devonport Community House
• 10am–12pm Saturday 17 September Mahurangi Community Centre
• 10am–12pm Saturday 17 September Waiuku Community hall
• 10am–12pm Saturday 17 September Mt Wellington Riverside (Taha Awa) Community Centre

To register for one of the above courses, or to find a course near youclick here.  

Wesley Market

7am-1pm Tuesday 13 September and Friday 16 September

Looking for weekday market that has something for everyone and is focused on reducing waste? Wesley Market is Auckland’s largest (and original) mid-week market and offers a huge variety of fruit and veges, fresh fish and cooked food, and a massive bric-a-brac area. What’s more, Wesley Market is working on becoming zero-waste and has been able to reduce the waste from each market day by a massive 62.5 per cent, going from four 240-litre rubbish bins down to 1.5.

There are also plenty of natural treasures to be discovered right on your doorstep. Gather the troops and create your own backyard sanctuary with these great ideas from DOC:

• build a bird-feeder or wētā 'motel'
• plant native trees to attract tūī and kererū
• make a pest-free zone by trapping possoms and rats, and wage war on the weeds in your garden
• arm the kids with magnifying glasses and see what bugs and beasties dwell in the undergrowth.