Waster.com.au

Looking for a fresh start this year? This article offers a simple guide to embrace sustainable habits and make a positive impact on the environment whilst saving money. From reducing food waste with Council rebates to exploring creative ways to repurpose old items, it’s packed with practical tips to help you adopt greener practices in 2025. You’ll discover ways to say no to single-use items, rethink your shopping habits and even breathe new life into old furniture and clothing. Whether it’s carrying reusable straws, visiting second-hand shops, or giving your favorite jeans a repair, these small steps can make a big difference for both your wallet and the planet. Get inspired to turn recycling into a fun and rewarding habit with ideas to reuse takeaway containers, refurbish old décor, or even start composting. Plus, learn how to make the most of recycling resources like Brisbane’s bin and recycling app to ensure you’re doing it right. It’s the perfect read for anyone ready to make sustainability a top priority this year! Read the complete article to learn more: https://hubs.la/Q0312N5y0 #recycling #recyclingnews #Waster

Take a look at how Australia’s big ideas for 2025 have played out, with some exciting progress and some goals still out of reach. The article dives into achievements like renewable energy projects whilst also looking at areas where plans didn’t go as expected. It’s a mix of success stories and lessons learned about turning dreams into reality. You’ll read about key promises, like making life more sustainable and embracing new technology and find out how they’ve worked out so far. Whilst some plans have moved forward well, others have faced delays and challenges. It’s a clear look at how plans can change when they meet real-world obstacles. The article also looks at what’s next, showing how Australia is still working to meet its goals. With wins in some areas and struggles in others, it’s a thoughtful piece about what happens when big ideas meet the challenge of putting them into action. It’s a great read for anyone curious about Australia’s journey toward a better future. Read the complete article to learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q030XHjm0 #sustainability #sustainabilitynews #Waster

Is bone and/or shell recycling possible? What do we need to learn more about food waste? We will talk about that and more in this blog. https://hubs.la/Q030XG_Y0 #bonerecycling #shellrecycling #recycling #Waster

Certification plays a pivotal role in driving the transition to a circular economy, ensuring businesses' environmental claims are credible and not misleading. This approach promotes reducing waste, maximising resource use and designing products for longevity and recyclability. The EU has led this shift through regulatory measures like the Green Claims Directive, which mandates verification of sustainability claims, and directives on sustainable packaging and biofuels. Voluntary certifications, such as ISCC Plus, go beyond legal requirements, tracing materials across supply chains and verifying sustainability metrics like carbon intensity and deforestation potential. These certifications are particularly critical for addressing plastics, a major environmental challenge, by promoting recycled or bio-based alternatives and reducing reliance on finite fossil resources. Adopting certification benefits businesses by boosting consumer trust, opening new markets, and aligning with funding opportunities for sustainability initiatives. A 2015 study highlighted that a circular economy could cut CO2 emissions by 48% and save €0.9 trillion annually in key sectors by 2030, underscoring its economic and environmental value. Read the complete article to learn more: https://hubs.la/Q030s-Sr0 #recycling #recyclingnews #Waster

Improperly disposing of batteries in general waste poses a significant fire hazard. According to the report, Dorset Council reported that a refuse collection lorry caught fire near Bridport when crushed batteries ignited inside the vehicle. The driver acted quickly by dumping the burning waste onto the road, allowing firefighters to extinguish the blaze. Fortunately, no injuries or vehicle damage occurred. The incident highlights the importance of safely disposing of batteries. Residents are urged to place used batteries in a clear plastic bag on top of recycling bins rather than mixing them with other recyclables. Fires in collection vehicles can spread rapidly due to flammable materials like paper and cardboard, causing extensive damage and posing risks to public safety. For example, a similar fire in November 2023 caused over £20,000 in damage at a recycling center. Some councils, like West Berkshire, have implemented kerbside recycling for batteries to reduce such incidents. Proper battery disposal not only prevents fires but also supports safer recycling practices. Read the complete article to learn more: https://hubs.la/Q030h_Vn0 #recycling #recyclingnews #Waster

The ACCC proposes to extend authorisation for Coles, Woolworths and ALDI to collaborate on recycling stockpiled soft plastics and expand their in-store collection pilot program until 31 July 2026. This follows the collapse of REDcycle, which left significant stockpiles of unprocessed plastics. While processing progress remains slow, capacity is expected to improve with new processors in 2025. The ACCC emphasizes transparency and urgency, requiring quarterly progress reports and ensuring supermarkets cannot restrict service providers from working with others. The pilot program currently operates in Victoria and New South Wales, with plans for broader expansion. Feedback on the draft proposal is open until 24 January 2025. Read the complete article for more information: https://hubs.la/Q0307Y5b0 #recycling #recyclingnews #Waster

The Nature Conservancy Australia (TNC) and B-Alternative are expanding the Shuck Don’t Chuck shell recycling program to Torquay, Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula. The initiative partners with seafood venues to collect used oyster, mussel and scallop shells, repurposing them for TNC’s shellfish reef restoration projects in Port Phillip Bay. Since 2015, the program has collaborated with over 50 venues, collecting thousands of kilograms of shells and using 825 tonnes to restore nearly 12 hectares of reefs. These recycled shells serve as a foundation for reef restoration and habitat growth. The program supports TNC’s goal to restore 60 shellfish reefs by 2030, representing 30% of this critical ecosystem. Venues like Finns Oyster Bar emphasise the program’s role in reducing waste, regenerating reefs and fostering community sustainability. Read the complete article to learn more: https://hubs.la/Q02__M7h0 #recycling #recyclingnews #Waster

Adelaide-based Detmold Group has announced new Sustainability Goals to be implemented from 2025, focusing on eco-friendly packaging production and processes. The company aims to increase the use of forest-certified and recycled materials, adopt more renewable energy and enhance recycling practices across its operations. Detmold Group CEO Sascha Detmold Cox emphasised the company's long-standing commitment to sustainability, including designing reusable, recyclable and compostable packaging. The rollout will have a global reach, starting with solar energy installations at their largest factory in Henan, China, complementing similar efforts at their Adelaide facility. These initiatives align with Detmold's mission to create sustainable packaging solutions for a better future. Read the complete article to learn more: https://hubs.la/Q02_T2Nj0 #recyclingnews #recycling #Waster

A Melbourne company, Robovoid, has developed the "circular bed," a bed frame made entirely from 100% recycled plastic. Designed to address the environmental issue of discarded mattresses and bed frames, each bed frame prevents 21kg of plastic from going to landfill. The materials include common plastics like polypropylene and soft plastics (LDPE). The circular beds are durable, mould- and pest-resistant, and designed to last 10 years, after which they can be recycled into new bed frames. Trials are underway in diverse settings such as remote communities, student housing and with athletes. Users praise the bed for its stability, comfort and noise-free design. Backed by a $400,000 investment from Sustainability Victoria, the circular bed is being hailed as an Australian innovation with global potential. Robovoid is exploring the creation of more sustainable furniture, signaling a push for circular solutions in the industry. Click the link to read the full article: https://hubs.la/Q02_JcnD0 #recyclingnews #recycling #Waster

The Australian government has introduced a new National Kerbside Collections Roadmap aimed at making kerbside recycling more consistent nationwide, with plans for standardising bin lid colours, reducing landfill waste and improving recycling clarity. Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek emphasised the goal of making recycling easier and more cost-effective for households. However, the plan has faced criticism for its slow progress, lack of clarity on timelines, and insufficient urgency in addressing key issues like packaging reform and battery recycling. Critics, including waste experts and the Greens, argue that while the plan is a "decent first step," the recycling system remains broken without stronger incentives for using recycled materials and stricter accountability for packaging producers. The Greens also criticised the absence of legally binding waste reduction targets and accused the government of favoring business interests. Battery recycling is a particularly urgent issue, with thousands of battery-related fires reported annually. Experts warn that a holistic national approach is needed to manage embedded batteries in consumer products. Queensland abstained from the agreement, citing cost-of-living concerns and opposing federal waste targets that it claims would burden families and businesses. Critics have also highlighted that nearly half of Australian councils still lack food and organic waste bins, hampering efforts to reduce landfill waste and boost composting. Check out the article's full details by clicking here: https://hubs.la/Q02_yw0r0 #recyclingnews #recycling #Waster