Did you know that every year the average Australian family produces enough rubbish to fill a three-bedroom house – that’s around 2.25kg of waste created every day.[i] It’s more important than ever that we know how to recycle properly, to ensure that waste that can be re-used and recycled, doesn’t just end up in landfill.
Here are our top tips on how you can get involved and do your part.
Take charge
Knowing what can, and can’t be recycled, as well as what may need specific waste bins or collection—is the first step in being a smart environmentalist. For instance, ink cartridges should be recycled either through a dedicated workplace collection, or at one of the 3.500 public drop-location throughout Australia. Visit here for more information. Remember that knowledge is power. Educate yourself on what can and can’t be recycled by visiting your local council’s guidelines or check if an item can be ‘Redcycled’ here.
Make some money for a good cause
Consider how your recycling products can raise funds for your school or favourite charity. Burt’s Bees has partnered with TerraCycle to allow you to ship your branded personal care, lip care and beauty care packaging to them free of charge. For every shipment over one kilogram sent to TerraCycle, collectors earn $1 towards their nominated Australian school or charity. Visit https://terracycle.com/burts-bees-recycle-on-us-au to find out more about Burt’s Bees Recycle on Us initiative.
Aim to be a zero-waste household or office space
Through the use of specific waste boxes, which allow you to recycle everything from cigarette butts to chewing gum, party decorations or outdoor furniture, there’s no excuse to not send your waste to the right place.
Ship your waste
Some products, such as coffee capsules or electric toothbrushes, can’t be left in kerbside bins. Contact TerraCycle’s free recycling program, which allows you to ship certain items for recycling at no cost.
[i] Ha, Tanya, 2009, Green Stuff for Kids, Melbourne University Press, Victoria, Australia.
