In November 1996, Planet Ark founded National Recycling Week to bring a national focus to the environmental benefits of recycling. Now in its 24th year, this established and highly regarded annual campaign continues to educate and stimulate behaviour change, by promoting kerbside, industrial and community recycling initiatives and giving people the tools to minimise waste and manage material resources responsibly at home, work and school.
Research shows that over 90% of Australians want to recycle but only 10% are getting it right. People are still confused over what belongs in the recycling bin, resulting in contamination from food, liquids, soft plastics and fabric.
Every day around Australia as much as 20% of the commingled recycling we diligently sort each week ends up in landfill. Put simply, too much contamination means recycling facilities can't sort the treasure from the trash. Contamination, like food, plastic bags and textiles, not only destroys the value of quality recyclables but can also damage machinery and increase the cost of processing. China's decision to close its doors on contaminated recycling means tonnes of lower quality recyclables have no market for resale.
"It's no surprise we are confused, states Shire President Paul Omodei, we are constantly bombarded with what we can and can't put in the recycling bin, and everyone has an opinion. The message we'd like to get across to our residents is to take notice of what we can and can't do in our Shire, while they may accept some forms of waste in different Shires, it's what we can do here that we really need to take notice of."
This year recycling week's focus is #Break It Down and we will be bombarded by a plethora of promotional materials, most of these are based on a three bin system, but the principal message is the same:
- Know the right materials for recycling
- Separate each material before disposal
- Use the rights bin.
In the Shire of Manjimup we operate a two bin system, a yellow lidded recycling bin and a green lidded general waste bin.
So what goes in your recycling bin in the Shire of Manjimup?
- Paper - all except absorbent paper like tissue.
- Cardboard - clean, dry and compacted.
- Tins - clean, dry and empty.
- Glass - bottles and jars.
- Plastic - rigid plastic containers only.
Everything else is contamination. When in doubt, leave it out.
