New campaign aims to keep recycling out of waste

• National Recycling Week is from 13 to 19 November
• 11% of recyclables in Cairns still end up in the kerbside waste bins, which ultimately ends up in landfill amounting to 9,000 tonnes annually
• Council currently has a 63% recovery/recycling rate; aim to reach 70% diversion from landfill by 2030

Cairns Regional Council has launched a new campaign ahead of National Recycling Week to urge residents to keep recycling out of waste.

About 11% of all materials in kerbside waste bins in Cairns are recyclable, which equates to an additional 9,000 tonnes ending up in landfill each year.

The new campaign – Keep Recycling Out of Waste – aims to give residents the confidence to make sustainable choices in waste disposal.

It emphasises that these choices directly contribute to safeguarding the national heritages areas of our region.

Division 1 Councillor Brett Moller, Vice President of the Local Authority Waste Management Action Committee (LAWMAC), emphasised the importance of individual actions.

"We want residents to think twice about throwing recyclable items in the waste bin,” Cr Moller said.

“Residents should feel assured that they are doing the right thing and are making a real difference by keeping recycling out of waste.

“They are making a difference for future generations and are playing their part to protect our natural environment.”

Cr Moller said while there is a positive downward trend in recyclables ending up in waste bins, there is always room for improvement.

“Unfortunately, over 9,000 tonnes of recyclable materials in Cairns are ending up in landfill each year,” he said.

“Council wants to reduce that amount substantially, with a goal of diverting at least 5,500 tonnes per annum of recycling from the red lid (or green lid) waste bins to the yellow lid recycle bins.”

“Currently, Cairns has a 63% recovery/recycling rate, which is well above the State average of about 47%.

“However, we are aiming to increase that by at least a further 7% and reach the State Government target of 70% diversion from landfill by 2030.

“To achieve this, we are hoping to encourage the community to tweak their waste management practices.”

National Recycling Week's theme – What goes around, comes around – aligns with Council's latest digital advertising campaign which will be rolled out this month.

“It’s all about taking simple and actionable tips that enable everyone to keep those valuable materials in circulation, whether at home, work or school,” Cr Moller said.

“Remember, something old can become something new again when it is recycled.”

National Recycling Week provides an opportunity for residents and workplaces to learn simple methods of reducing their environmental footprint and preventing waste.

For more information visit Council’s website.

About National Recycling Week

Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week, founded in 1996, highlights the environmental benefits of re-use and recycling programs, while making participation enjoyable and easy through community events and programs. National Recycling Week is from Monday 13 November to Sunday 19 November.