Released 13/11/2018
National Recycling Week has commenced and to help raise awareness of good recycling behaviours along with the environmental and economic benefits of recycling the community is invited to visit the range of recycling facilities in the ACT.
“We have a diverse range of recycling and waste management services in Canberra to help us reduce, reuse and recycle,” Minister for City Services, Chris Steel said.
“From the kerbside collection in the yellow bin at home to green waste recycling, drink containers and even mattress recycling.”
“It is pleasing to see the way Canberrans are getting involved in recycling programs,” Minister Steel said.
* Since the launch of the ACT Container Deposit Scheme on 30 June 2018, more than 4.9 million containers have been returned.
* Over 4,058 tonnes of organic green waste has been collected since the rollout of green bins began in April 2017.
* Since the introduction of the mattress recycling initiative in April 2016 Soft Landing has diverted more than 70,000 mattresses from landfill. With 74 per cent of the material able to be recycled, nearly 847 tonnes of steel, 116 tonnes of timber and tonnes of foam have been recovered for recycling.
National Recycling Week is an initiative of Planet Ark. The ACT is getting behind the week with a series of workshops and tours for the community at some of the main waste and recycling sites (see attached).
“There are a few simple things people can do to reduce the number of incorrect items in our recycling system,” Minister for City Services, Chris Steel said.
Mr Steel highlighted some common misconceptions, and reminded residents that only household packaging and containers should be placed in the yellow recycling bins, both at home and in public places.
“Plastic bags are the worst contaminants. Many residents put their recycling in plastic bags before placing it into the recycling. Because the plastic bag is a contaminant, in most cases, the whole bundle is sent to landfill.
“A reboot of recycling habits is simple. If in doubt, leave it out, or check our online Recyclopaedia to see what belongs,” Minister Steel said.
Residents are encouraged to check and see if the inside of their rubbish and recycling lids have stickers which show what does and doesn’t belong. If not, they can be requested through Access Canberra on 13 22 81.
For more information, to book a site visit, or view the Recyclopaedia, visit www.act.gov.au/recycling
List of recycling events
Composting Hub - Canberra Environment Centre, Acton Peninsula
10 am-12 noon, Saturday 10 November
Free composting and worm farming workshop and troubleshooting.
https://www.canberraenvironment.org/
Fighting Food Waste – Recycling Discovery Hub, Hume
10 am, Monday 12 November
Dave Burnet from OzHarvest discusses the scale of food waste and gives tips on how to shop well.
https://Bit.ly/actfoodwaste
Residential Recycling for Strata Managers and Real Estate agents – Recycling Discovery Hub, Hume
10 am, Wednesday 14 November
Find out how to help your residents to recycle right and dispose of waste responsibly.
https://Bit.ly/actmuds
ABC Radio Visit - Recycling Discovery Hub, Hume
2:30 pm-3:30 pm Wednesday 14 November
Join ABC Radio live at the Recycling Discovery Hub to find out what happens to the things we put in the bin.
https://Bit.ly/abcvisithub
Fighting Fast Fashion – Recycling Discovery Hub, Hume
10 am – 11 am, Thursday 15 November
Explore the world of textiles with guest author Summer Edwards.
https://Bit.ly/actfastfashion
Mattress Recycling – Soft Landing, Hume
11.30 am -12 noon, Thursday 15 November
Get behind the scenes and find out how mattresses are recycled, and the job opportunities it’s creating for long-term unemployed.
https://Bit.ly/actfastfashion
Green Waste Recycling – Corhkills, Mugga
11 am, Wednesday 14 November (by JJ. Richards)
Tour the Corkhill Brothers Facility at Mugga.
https://Bit.ly/actgreenwaste
How Container Deposit Scheme containers are sorted - Return-it depot, Fyshwick
10 am and 12 noon, Friday 16 November
See the sorting machinery in a behind the scenes of the Container Deposit Scheme facility.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/return-it-depot-open-day-tickets-51804562842?utm_term=eventurl_text
Upcycling studio, The Green Shed, Mitchell
10 am - 2 pm Monday – Friday
10 am - 4 pm Saturday and Sunday during National Recycling Week.
Upcycling studio “Interior designer-in-Residence” Candice Addicot opens her doors for visits to the studio
http://www.repsyched.com.au/
- Statement ends -
Chris Steel, MLA | Media Releases
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