National Recycling Week 2022: Waste isn’t Waste until it’s Wasted

Scenic Rim residents are encouraged to keep valuable resources out of landfill as Planet Ark's National Recycling Week is underway this week. 

National Recycling Week is a reminder to all Australians that much of what we currently send to landfill is a valuable material that could be reused, repurposed or recycled. 

This year’s theme “Waste isn’t waste until it’s wasted” is all about providing simple and actionable tips that enable Australians to keep those valuable materials in circulation, whether at home, work or school.  

Running from November 7-13, National Recycling Week provides opportunities for residents and workplaces to learn simple methods of reducing their environmental footprint and preventing waste.

Australians 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. 

Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen said residents support the diversion of waste from landfill and the nurturing of the natural beauty of the region. 

“It’s essential we do not harm the natural beauty we enjoy in the Scenic Rim – and reducing waste and making the most of the resource recovery services we have on offer are ways everyone can keep the Scenic Rim spectacular," he said.

"Our residents support Council's Waste Management and Resource Recovery Strategy 2021 – 2026, which aligns with the Queensland Government's target of a 25 per cent reduction of waste sent to landfill by 2050, with only 10 per cent of all waste going there. 

"To further advance the Strategy, and work towards building a circular economy approach to waste management and support the Queensland government's expectation, we recently opened Expressions of Interest for the diversification of services offered at the Bromelton Waste Facility.

"We are hoping to collaborate with industry and explore opportunities and technologies to enhance recovery, and the reuse and repurposing of materials that otherwise end up in landfill, such as food scraps and garden waste, which currently accounts for, on average, 40 per cent of kerbside waste collected in the Scenic Rim.  

Council has also partnered with ASPIRE to deliver free workshops to local businesses and gives businesses a new way to solve their issues with waste. Using the online marketplace that trades waste as a resource, ASPIRE helps businesses to recognise the value of their waste by providing this service that encourages the exchanging of resources that would otherwise be discarded. 

ASPIRE's online platform sets businesses up on the journey towards becoming a circular economy by connecting businesses with one another, saving costs on waste disposal and identify opportunities for exchange or sale. The workshops help businesses to understand how to earn revenue from waste, divert waste from landfill and create new supply chains. 

Since the inception of National Recycling Week in 1996, Planet Ark confirmed that the annual recycling rate in Australia has increased from just seven per cent (1.5 million total tonnes recycled), to more than 60 per cent of all disposed materials, meaning Australians have gone from recycling 1.5 million tonnes to a massive 43 tonnes every year. 

“Recycling in Australia has come a long way since 1996 and is highly valuable for both our environment and our economy,” said Planet Ark co-CEO Rebecca Gilling. 

“But there is still more we could be doing to ensure valuable resources don’t end up wasted in landfill. That’s why this year Planet Ark wants people to pause and think about what they are currently sending to landfill and ask whether it is waste after all.” 

Planet Ark also has a number of tools and tips to help community groups, councils, households and workplaces to get involved in the National Recycling Week Resource Hub. 

National Recycling Week is made possible by Major Sponsor Coles, Associate Sponsors Coca-Cola Australia and Tetra Pak, Media Partner Seven West Media and Supporting Sponsors Australasian Recycling Label and Cartridges 4 Planet Ark. 

To learn more or get involved in National Recycling Week, visit nationalrecyclingweek.com.au