Australian households and businesses encouraged to keep valuable resources out of landfill
Planet Ark is aiming to remind Australians this National Recycling Week (Nov 13-19) that much of what we currently send to landfill is valuable material that could be reused, repurposed or recycled. This year’s theme “What goes around, comes around” is all about providing simple tips that enable Australians to keep those valuable materials in circulation, whether at home, work or school.
Last year, Planet Ark research for the annual waste reduction and recycling campaign revealed Australian households are potentially sending nearly 2.5 million tonnes of unnecessary waste to landfill. An estimated 9-18 per cent (441,000 tonnes conservatively) of all material sent to landfill by households is likely recyclable, while a massive 41-52 per cent (2,000,900 tonnes conservatively) could be composted at home or organic processing facilities.
Fighting food waste and ensuring packaging is correctly recycled therefore form a major component of this year’s National Recycling Week resources and activities.
“This year Planet Ark is asking Australians to pause and think about what they are currently sending to landfill and ask whether it really is waste after all.” said Planet Ark CEO Rebecca Gilling.
“We have come a long way since National Recycling Week was established in 1996, but there is still more we can be doing to ensure valuable resources don’t end up wasted in landfill, especially when it comes to food waste and recycling our packaging.”
Running from November 13-19, National Recycling Week provides an opportunity for residents and workplaces to learn simple methods of reducing their environmental footprint and preventing waste. Residents can host or join recycling themed events, brush up on their recycling knowledge with educational resources, learn about new developments in recycling policy and technology or discover tricks to reduce what they are sending to landfill and ensure resources don’t go to waste.
National Recycling Week was founded in 1996 to help Australians improve their recycling knowledge and build better recycling habits. Since then, the annual recycling rate in Australia has increased from just seven per cent of all disposed materials to more than 60 per cent.
Planet Ark has a number of tools and tips in the National Recycling Week Resource Hub to enable community groups, councils, households and workplaces to get involved and start reducing waste. To learn more or get involved in National Recycling Week, visit nationalrecyclingweek.com.au.
National Recycling Week is made possible by Major Sponsor Coles, Associate Sponsors Coca-Cola Australia and Samsara Eco, Media Partner Seven West Media and Supporting Sponsors Australasian Recycling Label, Mobile Muster and Cartridges 4 Planet Ark.
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Key Facts:
- National Recycling Week 2023 runs from November 13-19.
- This year's theme is "What goes around, comes around".
- Fighting food and packaging waste are key messages of the campaign.
- Planet Ark research in 2022 revealed Australian households are potentially sending almost 2.5 million tonnes of unnecessary waste to landfill.
- Around half of that waste is estimated to be food waste.
- National Recycling Week was founded by Planet Ark in 1996 and since then the annual recycling rate in Australia has increased from just seven per cent of all disposed materials to more than 60 per cent.
National Recycling Week Resources:
Food and Garden Organics (FOGO) Collection Information
Schools Recycle Right Challenge
How to Set Up a Recycling System Guide
Workplace Recycling Presentations
About us:
About Planet Ark
Planet Ark Environmental Foundation is an Australian not-for-profit organisation with a vision of a world where people live in balance with nature. Established in 1992, it is one of Australia’s leading environmental behaviour change organisations with a focus on working collaboratively and positively. Planet Ark promotes and creates simple, positive environmental actions – for everyone.
About National Recycling Week
Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week, founded in 1996, highlights the environmental benefits of re-use and recycling programs, while making participation enjoyable and easy through community events and programs. The dates for National Recycling Week in 2023 are Monday 7 to Sunday 13 November 2023.
Contact details:
For further information, interviews or images please contact:
Liam Taylor
Communications Manager
02 8484 7205 / 0449 530 525
