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

Hand and power tools can be surprisingly wasteful and polluting. Experts drill down on eco-friendly alternatives that still get the job done Change by degrees offers life hacks and sustainable living tips each Saturday to help reduce your household’s carbon footprint Got a question or tip for reducing household emissions? Email us at changebydegrees@theguardian.com 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. Australia imports more than 1m outdoor power tools each year, such as lawnmowers, leaf blowers, hedge trimmers, chainsaws, chippers and pressure washers. Those that are petrol-powered – running off two-stroke or four-stroke engines – are noisy, emit toxic exhaust (such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and small particles) and con

May 2, 2026 → May 2, 2026