UOW to recycle right for National Recycling Week
7 Nov 2008 | Bernie Goldie
During Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week next week, the University of Wollongong will be encouraging people to Recycle Right … to reduce waste, save water, to conserve resources, to reduce contamination and to combat climate change by reducing carbon emissions.
UOW organisers say that recycling is one thing that the University can do to help address climate change. They say the more we recycle, the greater the environmental benefit as we are not only minimising the output of carbon dioxide -- which is the biggest contributor to climate change, but we’re also conserving valuable resources and saving vast amounts of water and energy.
More than 90% of Australians use household kerbside collections to recycle the bottles, cans, jars and paper they use at home. This is a great start, however, to recycle right we need to make sure we’re putting the right things into our recycling bins at home and at work. When we put the wrong items in a recycling bin, we contaminate the entire contents of the bin and reduce the effectiveness of the whole recycling process. For example; a single plastic bag can shut down an entire material recovery facility if it gets caught in its machinery; and just five grams of drink ware glass or pyrex in a recycling bin can contaminate a tonne of bottle and jar glass because it melts at a different temperature.
“UOW encourages all residents to address climate change by recycling,” according to Cathy Bale, Project Manager for the recycling component of the recently established Environmental Team.
“When we recycle right we minimise waste and contamination, we conserve resources and we reduce our impact on the environment,” Cathy said.
To help staff get involved a number of initiatives have been arranged throughout the week (see below for one photo/filming opportunity).
The Environment Team’s Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator Jessica Saad said the week would focus on an R4 themed approach “Rethink – Reduce – Reuse – Recycle” in order to promote consideration of the impact we have on the environment when we don’t think twice.
Media please note
On Monday 10 November at 10am a Recycling Information Booth will be set up on the McKinnon Lawn in front of Building 67 with free travel mugs available. Those that use the travel mugs or use their own mug will be able to access discounted coffee offered at selected locations
For more information about recycling or National Recycling Week go to RecyclingWeek.PlanetArk.org, call the National Recycling Hotline on 1300 733 712 or phone Cathy Bale on 4221 5158.
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