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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Petra Stock

Can we fix it? Shifting from fast, throwaway hardware to a sustainable DIY culture

Person using a leaf blower in a garden
Australia imports more than 1m outdoor power tools each year. Operating a commercial leaf blower for an hour produces the same amount of air pollutants as driving 1,700km. Composite: Getty Images

Most Australians consider themselves “DIYers”, with the trip to the hardware store a regular feature of weekends in many households.

About 57% say they are happy to get on the tools for home and garden repairs and improvements, according to one survey. But “do it yourself” culture comes at an environmental cost, whether it’s the noise and air pollution from petrol-powered mowers and blowers, or the cost and waste of tools and hardware bought new and only used once.

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