Get involved in recycling programs

As part of National Recycling Week, RENEW NSW (the state-wide organisation that focuses on improving waste management practices in rural and regional NSW) is urging residents to get involved in recycling programs in their local community and to work together to make a difference to the environment.

In one year, 187,686 tonnes of domestic waste was recycled by rural and regional councils, which roughly equates to greenhouse gas savings of over 94,000 tonnes (CO₂ equivalent) or taking more than 22,500 cars off the road.

Regardless of whether you live in the city or country, each year every one of us on average generates 1000 kg of industrial, commercial or domestic waste. Recycling is an option which can prevent this enormous amount of waste ending up as landfill.

Last year, five councils in the NetWaste region, one of eight regional groups that comprise RENEW NSW and includes areas throughout central and west NSW, entered into a 10-year regional domestic waste and recycling contract. With savings and benefits estimated to be of in excess of $8 million, this initiative has already proved successful with 2936 tonnes of recyclables collected in a 12-month period. This roughly equates to greenhouse gas savings of over 3100 tonnes (CO₂) or taking 748 cars off the road.

Educating the youth of tomorrow is of prime importance to RENEW NSW. This year, schools in the North East Waste Forum region, which includes areas such as Ballina Shire, Byron Shire, Clarence Valley Shire and Richmond Valley, will be participating in council activities educating students about recycling, and the effects on the local community and environment.

This will include an interactive mobile waste education trailer made from reused and recycled materials, named The Green House, which provides fun learning for students.

Linda Tohver, Education Coordinator for the North East Waste Forum, highlights the importance of making recycling even more effective for the local environment and community: "Our role in recycling doesn't simply stop with separating our household recyclables from rubbish. We also need to purchase and use products that are made from the materials recycled. By doing this we are "˜closing the recycling loop', helping to save our valuable resources."

Kempsey Shire Council, as part of the Midwaste group which represents the Mid North Coast of NSW, covering regions such as Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Gloucester, is running a "˜Waste into Art' program to coincide with National Recycling Week 2007.

Since this is the first time Kempsey Shire has run such a program, it was decided to focus on the youth of the shire through a schools-based competition offering cash vouchers as prizes so that the winning schools can buy educational resources.

Waste to Art is a community art exhibition and competition that showcases creative works made from re-used and recyclable waste materials. The aim is to challenge perceptions about "˜rubbish' and to celebrate the re-use and recycling of waste through arts and crafts.

"Council contacted the 23 primary and secondary schools in the shire inviting them to participate in the project. The response so far has been excellent with a majority of the schools expressing strong interest," said Owen Moon, Kempsey Shire Council's waste coordinator.

National Recycling Week runs from 12"“18 November 2007.