Australians sceptical of government efforts to increase recycling
Planet Ark Media Release
Fewer than half of all Australians believe any level of government is adequately supporting recycling improvements, new research from Planet Ark has revealed.
Just 43 per cent of those surveyed agreed that the federal government was doing enough to increase recycling rates nationally, while 44 per cent agreed their state government was doing enough in their state and 46 per cent agreed their local council was doing enough in their area.
In contrast, almost three in four Australians believe they are doing enough to increase recycling rates in their own home, revealing a belief that legislation is necessary for greater improvements in recycling rates around the country.
Municipal solid waste remains a significant contributor to overall waste levels, especially in key material streams such as clothing and other textiles, packaging, and most significantly food waste.
The research was carried out to understand attitudes towards recycling in Australia and promote waste reduction ahead of National Recycling Week (November 11-17). Established by Planet Ark in 1996, National Recycling Week provides an important platform for engaging Australians in recycling and sustainable habits.
“As one of the highest producers of waste per capita globally, Australia faces an urgent need to transform its waste and consumption habits,” said Rebecca Gilling, Planet Ark.
“National Recycling Week provides an opportunity to take collective action, reduce the need for additional resource extraction, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.”
The campaign’s call to action, Join the Cycle, encourages councils, workplaces, schools, and individuals to improve recycling knowledge and build better recycling practices. The campaign also urges waste reduction through other activities such as refusing or reducing consumption and repairing and reusing what we already have.
Planet Ark has produced a range of resources for Australians seeking to reduce waste and increase recycling this National Recycling Week, whether at home, work, school or within communities. To access these learning tools and guides, or additional details on how to participate in National Recycling Week 2024, visit nationalrecyclingweek.com.au.
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3 comments
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paul walter
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Lyndal
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Bruce White
Return to home pageBecause it is token. It makes the government seem to people that it is actually doing something about the enviro.
The fundamentals: land clearancing, misallocation of water resources, deforestation, fisheries depletion and species loss, are left pretty much untouched.
But such issues as recycling are nor pointless. A Landline on 2 carried a segment on the recycling of food tossed out by supermarkets and producers-different approaches- and it was easy to see the benefits arising.
But on core issues, all that seems to come of enviro probs is abuse of Greens and environmentalists while real issues remain ignored.
At least, in the area of littering, I think there have been improvements. The return and earn machines are popular, and even random bottles and cans in the gutter get picked up by someone. Plastic bags no longer festoon trees and fences. Things like paper straws and wooden takeaway cutlery disappear quickly. I am still picking up garbage on my walk around town, but nothing like as much as once was the case. Give credit where due, these changes have come from government action.
I agree with Planet Ark, etc that governments in Australia, Federal, State and Local are most definitely not doing anywhere enough on waste recycling. Especially in relation to plastics. Of course this is a worldwide problem with piecemeal approaches being taken. Governments are gripped by inaction and avoidance of taking responsibility. The public has been demonstrated to be willing and able to take action. Governments are letting everyone down. An example. Back in I think 2016 Craig Reucassells’ ABCTV program ‘War On Waste’. Craig asked then Federal Minister responsible Josh Frydenberg about what the Federal government is/could be doing about waste recycling. The ministers response? ‘It’s a state and territory government responsibility’…That was it…useless…Things haven’t changed. And still we have the saying “the mass of plastic contamination in the oceans will exceed the mass of all living marine creatures by 2050”. The clock is ticking…