New research commissioned by Planet Ark has found that many Australians are unsure of the truth about recycling.
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Although the majority of Australians think their kerbside recycling actually gets recycled, 21% think most of it goes to landfill while 27% are unsure what happens to their recycling.
As China’s waste import ‘ban’ hits Australia and our population and waste levels continue to rise, recycling matters now more than ever.
This year Planet Ark is encouraging Australians to take control of your own recycling journey.
Nearly all Australians recycle and think of themselves as conscientious recyclers, but many residents want to know what happens once the wheelie bin is emptied from kerbside.
This year’s theme for National Recycling Week, From Waste Wars to Recycling Reboot, aims to resolve some of the confusion surrounding Australia’s waste.
A council survey conducted by Planet Ark found that the most common recycling mistake made by residents was soft plastics (like bread bags) in the recycling bin, bagged recyclables in the recycling bin and food scraps or organics in the recycling bin.
These mistakes cause problems at the sorting facilities and lead to more of Australia’s recyclables going to landfill.
Residents are also being given a helping hand to recycle right with the launch of the new Australasian Recycling Label.
It aims to help consumers understand which bin a piece of packaging should be placed in.
Planet Ark’s Buy It Back Day (Sat 17 Nov) is back to encourage the community to celebrate National Recycling Week through mindful purchasing by buying something secondhand or buying a product made from recycled materials.
Shoppers are encouraged to share their finds on social media with a photo and hashtags #BuyItBack and #NationalRecyclingWeek.
Schools can take the Schools Recycle Right Challenge (8 Oct – 16 Nov) with free, fun and interactive teaching resources. A school from each state and territory will win a Replas outdoor seat valued at over $600.
You can join the community’s war on waste and make this National Recycling Week the biggest yet. Visit www.recyclingweek.planetark.org or call the hotline 1300 733 712.
