Over the past few months, Australian not-for-profit organisation Planet Ark has been encouraging Australians to ramp up their recycling at home, work and in the community for the 21st year of National Recycling Week, taking place from 7 to 13 November 2016.
National Recycling Week is an initiative created by Planet Ark in 1996 to bring a national focus to the environmental benefits of recycling. Now in its 21st year, the established annual campaign continues to educate and stimulate behaviour change, by promoting industrial and community recycling initiatives and giving people the tools to minimise waste and manage material resources responsibly.
This year Planet Ark is asking ‘So you think you can recycle?’ to encourage Australians to think about whether they are doing as well as they can at recycling.
There are quite a few initiatives that those in the cleaning industry can take part in for National Recycling Week, including:
- RecycleSmart app
Away from home and unsure of where or what to recycle? This app will be your recycle guide while traveling and assist in smart recycling habits on the go. The app includes information and collection points from every Australian council for all sorts of materials, from aerosol cans to clothing and electronic waste. You can also read about news and events in the area you’ve selected.
- Soft plastics
Did know you can recycle soft plastics like bread bags, pasta, rice, biscuit and confectionary packaging and cling film at major supermarkets through the RedCycle program? Your empty packaging will be recycled into useful new products like furniture!
- Bathroom and cosmetic packaging
What to do with the copious amounts of bathroom products we consume? Do you recycle your empty products such as shampoo and conditioner bottles, aerosol cans, glass perfume bottles, toilet rolls and cosmetic packaging? All of these can be recycled in your home recycling bin with the exception of cosmetic packaging, which can be done through a new program developed by Terracycle and L’Oreal Australia.
- Costa’s guide to composting
Garden guru Costa Georgiadis shows the basics of composting and how we can all help reduce landfill waste.
- Swap it!
Clothes, books and miscellaneous treasures – don’t need or want them anymore? Swap them! A number of communities hold swaps around National Recycling Week or you could simply donate the used belongings to charities or create your own swap party with your family and friends, using this helpful guide.
Recycling processes are always developing and improving, making National Recycling Week a great opportunity for people to reflect on their current recycling behaviour, and learn fun, creative ways to continue recycling all year round.