Recycling Week: WMRR says think local, recycle better

During National Recycling Week 2024, the Waste Management and Resource Recovery Association of Australia (WMRR) is urging Australians to support recycling by choosing products made from Australian recycled materials.

Highlighting the environmental benefits of recycling, WMRR chief executive officer Gayle Sloan emphasised that recycling helps preserve natural resources and reduce carbon emissions.

Sloan noted that, while 63 per cent of Australia’s waste is currently recovered, more can be achieved if Australians shift their preference from virgin materials to locally recycled products. "Our industry needs the support of all Australians," she said. "We need to grow local demand for Australian recycled materials and products by moving away from virgin materials and the preference for 'new.'"

WMRR is encouraging consumers, businesses, and governments to make informed purchases by prioritising recycled materials, including recycled packaging, compost, and building products. Sloan pointed out that sustainable choices extend beyond the recycling bin, saying, "It starts and continues at the shelf with what we buy and keep buying, using, sharing, and repairing."

Additionally, WMRR aims to raise awareness about common recycling misconceptions by debunking five prevalent myths. These include the misconception that all recyclables end up in landfill, when in reality, the majority of recyclable material is processed within Australia, with only 6 per cent sent overseas. Another misconception addressed is "wishcycling"—the practice of placing uncertain items in recycling bins. WMRR advises against this, stressing the importance of clean, properly sorted recyclable materials.

WMRR encourages Australians to consider the environmental impact of their consumption habits, emphasising that "recycling the planet’s valuable resources and reducing demand on virgin materials" must be the ultimate goal.

National Recycling Week runs from 11-17 November. The campaign, run by environmental group Planet Ark, was founded in 1996, and aims to educate and empower people to do the right thing when they are at the bin.