We’re all taught from early schooling to recycle where we can – whether it’s recycling scrap paper, donating unused goods or seeing recycled plastic given a new lease on life; there’s no doubting that recycling is the best thing for our environment. But do you really know the importance of recycling and the recycling benefits to the environment?
Responsible recycling ensures that:
- The amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators is reduced
- Pollution is prevented
- Natural resources are conserved
- Energy is conserved
- Jobs are created, producing economic benefits
Victoria’s 2019-20 waste report explains that from 2.7 million properties, across 79 local governments, there were 1.22 million tonnes of kerbside garbage collected and 0.58 million tonnes of kerbside recyclables collected.
Fifteen point eight six million tonnes of waste was generated in Victoria from all sectors. Of that, a whopping 11.05 million tonnes of waste was diverted from landfill, more than any other year! The remaining 4.81 million tonnes went to landfill, meaning we diverted 69.7 per cent of waste generated across all sectors from landfill.
This is a fantastic trend that we at CopperRock want to see continue! Not only is responsibly recycling great for the environment, but also good for your pockets. Come July 1st 2022, the EPA is increasing their Landfill levy from $105.90 per tonne to $125.90. This price increase as well as Supplier increases is due to the increasing cost of resources, such as fuel.
On the bright side, the EPA price increases will see more money spent on sustainable initiatives like their Small Business Program pilot that offers free expert advice about managing risks under the new environment protection laws to eligible small businesses across Victoria.
Food Scraps and Green Waste Bin
So, how can you reduce the cost for your own household? CopperRock recommends utilising the new bin structure that separates rubbish, recycling and food scraps into separate bins (coming July 4th 2022 to the Bayside area). The introduction of the food scraps and green waste bin is set to further reduce our landfill volumes and also safeguard local residents from future cost increases.
Your food scraps and green waste bin can be used to dispose of:
- Bread, pasta, cereal and rice
- Coffee grounds and loose leaf tea
- Cooking oil
- Dairy leftovers including cheese
- Egg shells
- Flowers
- Fruit, citrus and vegetable scraps
- Garden prunings
- Grass clippings
- Meat and bones
- Paper towels, newspaper and tissues
- Seafood including shells
- Small branches
- Weeds
- Compostable bags labelled AS4736
And, don’t forget to drop off your unwanted rubbish for responsible recycling at CopperRock – The Bayside Waste & Recycling Centre before the prices increase on July 1st. For more information on recycling at CopperRock visit this page.
