In this country we are well behind the rest of the world in terms of recycling technology and infrastructure.
Our recent work looking at various materials demonstrate that we have the product ready to be recycled, the technology exists, it is being used (and often has been for years) in other countries but for some reason we don’t have operations here.
Many would draw the conclusion, as I would, that there is apathy towards supporting essential new technology and operations for recycling. Even in the wake of China’s rejection of our recyclable materials.
One important way to increase demand for recycling is to ensure that our public spaces lead the way, or at least are not left behind, in demonstrating the acceptable standard of source separation, recycling and composting.
A quick survey of schools will show possible recycling services in the office or canteen but garbage only in many schoolyards. Shopping centres still often have garbage only. Many streets of local government areas have garbage only and no recycling. Public events, although occasionally attempting waste diversion, often generate substantial waste of which a majority goes to landfill.
George Will said, “The pursuit of perfection often impedes improvement.” In the business of providing recycling services in public places, high contamination levels in early attempts has seen those responsible for the bins remove recycling bins as they contained too much garbage. The result being reversion to the basic garbage service for all recycling, compostable and residual waste products.
Instead of going backwards, we must continue to battle forward through the high contamination by making changes to bin systems, locations, signage and community education to improve the system rather than cancel it because we couldn’t achieve perfection.
Bin and bin enclosure designs are improving to reduce contamination. Bins can be strategically located so that a recycling bin is close to but not next to a garbage bin. Signage is improving and with local Council household and business collections being gradually improved to increase waste diversion, surely public place services should follow in unison.
The more that we forge towards public waste collection systems that progressively allow for recycling and composting, rather than requiring immediate perfection, the easier it will become to catch up to the rest of the developed world and benefit, environmentally and economically, from sustainable management of our wastes.
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