Keep recycling on track this National Recycling Week
November 10 - 16 marks National Recycling Week
November 10 - 16 marks National Recycling Week, and it's the perfect time to reflect on how we can all play our part, as consumers, households or business owners.
"Bass Coast continues to lead the way in recycling, with our community diverting 70.1 per cent of kerbside collection waste from landfill in 2024/25," a council spokesperson said.
"Diversion from landfill means that instead of going to waste, materials like paper, glass, plastics, and metals are recovered and reused, giving them a new life."
Bass Coast Shire Council is one of only two councils in the large shire category to score above 70 per cent, narrowly behind Macedon Ranges at 70.4 per cent, and well above the large shire average of 47.7 per cent.
"This isn't just a win for Council - it's a celebration of our community's commitment to recycling," the spokesperson said.
National Recycling Week, founded by Planet Ark in 1996, encourages Australians to improve recycling knowledge, reduce waste, and keep valuable materials in use.
Since its inception, the national recycling rate has risen from just seven per cent to more than 60 per cent.
This year's theme, 'Join the Cycle', reminds everyone to recycle right, reduce consumption, and reuse where possible.
"This National Recycling Week, we're highlighting where your recycling goes after it's collected, and why it matters," said the council spokesperson.
"Each week, recyclable materials from households across Bass Coast are transported to a recycling and resource recovery facility, where a combination of advanced machinery and careful human inspection ensures contamination is removed and valuable materials are recovered:
- Paper and Cardboard: Pulled and remanufactured into new boxes and office paper.
- Glass: Crushed and melted into new bottles and jars.
- Hard Plastics: Sorted by type and processed into pellets for new plastic containers.
- Steel and Aluminium: Melted and reformed into new cans.
No tips
Ever notice you don't hear it called the tip much anymore?
"That's because Bass Coast's waste and recycling facilities have moved beyond landfill," the spokesperson explained.
"We go further, recycling items like polystyrene, textiles, X-rays and mattresses, helping divert these items from landfill. Don't forget, excess household recycling can be dropped off for free at our facilities."
Research by Planet Ark shows 31 per cent of Australians mistakenly believe most items in recycling bins end up in landfill, highlighting the importance of understanding where our recycling actually goes.
Correct recycling reduces landfill, conserves natural resources, and supports local jobs in the circular economy. Contamination can disrupt the process, and often real people have to remove incorrect items by hand.
Planet Ark's research also found approximately 14 per cent of items in household recycling bins are not recycled due to contamination.
"You can help by checking what can and cannot go in your bin, keeping items clean, empty, and loose, and considering the waste hierarchy when buying and using products - reduce, reuse, and then recycle.
"This year's success also reflects the work of Bass Coast businesses exploring circular economy practices.
"Our Business Support Team's Circular Economy Business Accelerator Program, recently recognised with a national award, brought together 12 local businesses from sectors including hospitality, tourism, construction, creative arts, and agriculture to rethink waste and unlock new opportunities."
Not sure which bin it goes in? Visit www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/whichbin
