The Bundaberg Region is making a big impact in recycling, diverting thousands of tonnes of materials from landfill while supporting local jobs.
Released for National Recycling Week, the latest statistics from Bundaberg Regional Council’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF) highlight these efforts from residents and the dedicated team at Impact Community Services which works to keep the region’s recycling system running efficiently.
It’s a combined effort that continues to deliver strong environmental and social benefits according to Bundaberg Regional Council Water, Waste and Renewable Economy portfolio spokesperson Councillor Jason Bartels.
“In the past 12 months Council collected recycling from more than 750,000 yellow top bins from households,” he said.
“From there, Impact employees sorted 6,000 tonnes of recyclables – diverting valuable materials from landfill and supporting a stronger circular economy.
“These are the results that can be achieved when Council, community and local organisations work together.”
Cr Bartels said the partnership with Impact Community Services was an essential part of that success.
“It’s not just about recycling materials, it’s about recycling opportunities,” he said.
“Through Impact, people living with disability are gaining valuable employment, skills and a sense of pride in the work they do to keep Bundaberg clean and sustainable.”
Working at the MRF is a job that Impact employee Daniel Sheather has enjoyed for 15 years as it has given him the opportunity to meet people and make friends.
“When I first started this job, I was shy and I didn’t really talk to anyone really, so I’ve sort of opened up a bit more,” he said.
He said he has seen a lot come in over the conveyer belt during his shifts in the sorting facility.
“We have heaps of stuff, different, like some of it’s pretty bad, smelly stuff, but lots of different cans and bottles and all that sort of stuff.
“The worst ones we’ve seen coming through is needles and nappies, get a fair bit of that and food scraps.”
And he has some advice to help people recycle properly.
“Just try and put just recycling stuff in there, not recycling in bags because that makes it a bit hard.
“Just keep it clean, it’s very dirty.
“I’ll keep working hard and keep sorting.”
What has been recycled in the past 12 months:
- Paper and cardboard: 3,780 tonnes
- Steel and aluminium Cans: 1,020 tonnes
- Glass: 600 tonnes
- Mixed plastics: 600 tonnes
These efforts have made a measurable environmental impact, including:
- Recycling paper and cardboard saved an estimated 49,140 trees.
- Recycling aluminium uses 95% less energy than producing it from raw materials – and a recycled can can be back on the shelf within 60 days.
- Recycling one tonne of steel saves 1.1 tonnes of iron ore, 630 kg of coal and 55 kg of limestone.
- Aluminium, steel and glass are infinitely recyclable, making them essential to a sustainable future.
Bundaberg Regional Council is proud to support Planet Ark’s National Recycling Week initiative, which has been helping Australians “recycle right” since 1996.
This year’s theme, Join the Cycle, encourages councils, schools, businesses and households to take part in the circular economy by reducing waste and recycling more effectively.
To learn more and get involved visit the National Recycling Week website here: https://recyclingnearyou.com.au/nationalrecyclingweek/
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