Locals are being urged to double down on their recycling efforts this week to mark National Recycling Week.
Member for the Dubbo electorate Dugald Saunders said the theme of this year’s National Recycling Week is ‘Waste isn’t Waste until it’s Wasted’.
“This is an important week because it helps remind us about how we can each waste less and recycle more in our daily lives,” Mr Saunders said.
“For example, if you’re not already turning trash into treasure through our Return and Earn scheme, I encourage you to start collecting your bottles and taking them into a local drop off point to get your refund and give those containers a new life.”
Since 2017, more than eight billion containers have been returned, delivering $800 million in refunds to NSW residents, more than $35 million in donations to community groups and charities, and helping reduce drink container litter by 52 per cent.
“Perhaps you can recycle your soft plastics by collecting them and dropping them into a soft plastic recycling bin at your supermarket,” Mr Saunders said.
“And if you have waste that you don’t know what to do with – like batteries, chemicals or paint – get in touch with your nearest Community Recycling Centre, where they’ll take it off your hands for free and recycle it correctly.”
The $802.7 million dollar Waste Less Recycle More program has been the largest waste and recycling program in Australia, delivering a 43 per cent reduction in litter, reducing illegal dumping, supporting almost 40,000 businesses reduce their waste fees through the BinTrim program, building new roads and footpaths with 11,600 tonnes of recycled glass, and building or expanding 41 composting facilities to increase capacity by 763,00 thousand tonnes. The program has also supported delivery of 21 million meals through food donation programs, reducing emissions while saving unsold fresh food from the bin.
The NSW Government is increasing the state’s recycling capacity by 3.2 million tonnes, and its new $356 million Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy is tackling plastic waste, boosting infrastructure investment, lowering carbon emissions and protecting the community from waste pollution.
Grant funding opportunities under the Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy are available on the EPA Grants Calendar: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/working-together/grants.
To find out more about your nearest Community Recycling Centre, visit https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/recycling-and-reuse/household-recycling-overview/community-recycling-centres