Planet Ark is calling on Australians to improve their recycling knowledge and habits as National Recycling Week kicks off.

Image: Planet Ark

Planet Ark

Environmental charity urges Australians to ‘Join the Cycle’ as National Recycling Week begins

New research from Planet Ark has uncovered a widespread misunderstanding among Australians about what happens to their recycling, with about one in three (31 per cent) mistakenly believing that most items in their recycling bins end up in landfill.

This misconception stands in contrast to reality, with most correct items placed in recycling bins successfully processed and recycled. Approximately 80 per cent of all items placed in household recycling bins are recycled, with about 14 per cent not recycled due to being contamination (items that shouldn’t be placed there in the first place). Only the remaining six per cent is not recycled due to breakage or process inefficiencies.

Participants in the research also identified knowledge that most of their recycling was being processed and recycled appropriately as the primary reason people would be more motivated to increase recycling at home. This suggests the misinformation surrounding recycling in landfill is a significant detractor from people’s recycling efforts and continues to undermine public confidence in the recycling system.

Rebecca Gilling, Planet Ark CEO, expressed concern about how the persistence of these myths and the mistrust they cause hinders progress on the significant waste challenges Australia faces.

“It’s vital that Australians know their efforts to recycle do make a difference. The vast majority of correctly recycled items do not go to landfill, and the system in place is effective at recovering valuable resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cutting down on the need for raw material extraction,” she said.

In response to these findings, Planet Ark is redoubling efforts to provide educational resources to clarify what can and cannot be recycled at home, information on items that can be recycled through product stewardship schemes, and how to reduce waste through reuse and repair initiatives. For more information and to access these resources, visit nationalrecyclingweek.com.au.

National Recycling Week, running from November 11-17, presents an important opportunity for Australians to gain a clearer understanding of the recycling process and to correct false assumptions. This year’s campaign, “Join the Cycle,” highlights how recycling is an essential part of reducing waste, conserving resources, and fighting climate change.

Planet Ark is calling on local councils, workplaces, schools, and individuals to be proactive during National Recycling Week by improving their recycling knowledge and building stronger recycling habits. For those unsure what can be recycled, Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You website offers a range of resources, from recycling guides to tools for reducing, repairing, and reusing.

National Recycling Week 2024 is supported by Major Sponsor Coles, Associate Sponsors Coca-Cola Australia, Mobile Muster, Tetra Pak, Media Partner Seven West Media, and Supporting Sponsors Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation and Cartridges 4 Planet Ark.

*Research was conducted by Pollinate as part of the Pulse Report, a bi-annual quantitative study that measures environmental, social and economic issues and concerns.

**Nationally representative sample, Australians aged 14-64​, n=1,006

National Recycling Week Resources:

• Recycling Guide
• Resource Hub
• Schools Recycle Right
• Events Guide
• Recycling for Clothing & Textiles
• Food and Garden Organics (FOGO) Collection Information
• Home Composting Information
• Council Activity Guide
• Recycling Trivia Pack for Workplaces
• How to Set Up a Recycling System Guide
• Workplace Recycling Toolkit
• Workplace Recycling Presentations

About Planet Ark

Planet Ark Environmental Foundation is an Australian not-for-profit organisation with a vision of a world where people live in balance with nature. Established in 1992, it is one of Australia’s leading environmental behaviour change organisations with a focus on working collaboratively and positively. Planet Ark promotes and creates simple, positive environmental actions – for everyone.

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. The dates for National Recycling Week in 2023 are 11-17 November 2024.

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