Planet Ark battles E-Waste
Planet Ark has launched its National Recycling Week (NRW) campaign, aimed to improve the environmental benefits of local and national recycling programs.
Running from November 8-14, the annual campaign is supported by the City of Sydney.
Planet Ark media manager Michelle Cook said NRW gives Australians the opportunity to understand the importance of recycling.
“National Recycling Week is a great opportunity for us to inform Australians of new recycling initiatives, trends and technologies, so that people can recycle right throughout the year,” she said.
The main event of the week, The Big Aussie Swap, gives people the chance to exchange goods they no longer need, or want with others in the community.
Ms Cook hopes residents will exceed last year’s efforts where over 2000 participants swapped almost 7000 items.
“Getting a new item of clothing at a swap party rather than purchasing something that’s brand new, saves energy, water and carbon emissions,” she said.
Planet Ark is also targeting the recycling of household batteries, printer cartridges and mobile phones due to the increase of enquiries surrounding the disposal of e-waste.
“Our aim is to inform Australians of the recycling services available to them so we can reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill, recover the valuable resources that are found in many electronic items, and stop potentially hazardous waste from entering the waste stream,” Ms Cook said.
According to the latest reports, Australians dispose of almost 20 million printer cartridges annually.
“E-waste is increasing at three times the rate of household waste and is a problem that must be addressed,” Australia Post General Manager Corporate Responsibility, Alex Twomey said.
Australia Post, in accordance with Planet Ark is providing recycling services at postal stores around Australia where old cartridges can be dropped off.
To coincide with NRW, Battery World and Varta have joined forces to launch Australia’s first free national recycling collection program for all types of batteries.
According to the latest research by Planet Ark, 98 per cent of Australians said they would recycle their household batteries if an option were available.
“Australians have exhibited a willingness to recycle their household batteries, but until now a convenient option hasn’t always existed,” Planet Ark’s Campaigns Manager, Brad Grey said.
“Household battery recovery rates in countries with established recycling collections are as high as 59 per cent, which we’re hopeful Australia can achieve with a new national scheme in place.”
Household batteries can now be dropped into any Battery World store for recycling.
To find out more information about NRW, head to www.planetark.org or to locate your closest swap party, go to www.whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
By Sophie Cousins
