Waste

Everything we buy and everything we use ends up somewhere. We need to make sure that the somewhere is the right place! At junior landcare our motto is reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink when it comes to waste. Reduce pollution by managing waste effectively, reuse items so they do not need to be recycled or thrown out, recycle what you cannot reuse and rethink your choices to minimise the creation of waste in the first place. We've given you some useful tips below!

 

What can I do?

• Recycle your plastic, glass, paper and aluminium
• Recycle your old mobile phones, head to the Mobile Muster website for more information
• Recycle electrical equipment. Your local council may offer free collection otherwise look up an e-waste recycling company online
• Your local tip or council may also offer recycling of oil, batteries and other household items
• Start your own compost heap or worm farm to recycle your green waste. The compost and castings will also give you fabulous natural fertiliser for your garden
• If your green waste is relatively small you may prefer the Bokashi method
• Reuse egg cartons and plastic containers as paint containers and glass bottles and old jam jars make funky vases
• Swap clothes with your friends instead of throwing them out!
• Have a rubbish free lunch day at your work, home or school. View an example here
• Reduce your consumption. Do not buy food that won't get eaten and consider whether you could share what you are about to purchase, for example a magazine can be shared by several friends.
• Purchase items which are made from recycled materials or which can be recycled.
• Reduce your plastic bag use. Marine animals such as turtles often mistake plastic bags for jellyfish and die after eating them.

Resources

Recycling and waste reduction in schools
www.resourcesmart.vic.gov.au

Government of South Australia
Wipe out waste (fun, educational tool for kids)

CERES Community Environment Park
Sustainability facts & figures about Waste

Australian Government - Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
Oil recycling
Make your own compost
Green waste matters: a guide on green and organic waste management for school

The World's Trashiest Continent
Did you know the world’s largest landfill is floating in the pacific ocean? The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is an ‘island’ formed by rubbish that has been thrown into the ocean and is now trapped by currents in one place. Made up of over 90% plastic, this floating dump between Hawaii and California is about the size of New South Wales!
Our Manly - Great Pacific Garbage Patch
60 Minutes - Seas of Shame (transcript and video)