Environment Team members Karli Kenny (left) and Cathy Bale at the Rec...

UOW to recycle right for National Recycling Week

During Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week this 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 Environment 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.

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.

Today (Monday 10 November) a Recycling Information Booth has been 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.

On Wednesday 12 November a morning tea will be held where staff can register their interest to become an ‘Environmental Champion’ for their unit. Staff wishing to attend should RSVP.

And on Friday 14 November, those that would like to learn to ‘recycle right’ can register for a demonstration.

Throughout the week, the Environment Team will encourage those that are already doing great things for the environment at UOW to submit their initiative and go into a prize draw.

Expressions of interest, registrations or queries can be sent to environment_team@uow.edu.au

For more information about recycling or National Recycling Week go to RecyclingWeek.PlanetArk.org or call the National Recycling Hotline on 1300 733 712.