This March, City of Darwin has been promoting Recycling Awareness Month; a campaign that supports and encourages behavioural and attitudinal change towards recycling in the lead up to Global Recycling Day on 18 March.
Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said, through its 10-year Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy, City of Darwin was committed to reducing kerbside waste into landfill by 50 per cent by 2030.
“We want to be recognised as a clean and environmentally responsible city, so throughout March, City of Darwin has been sharing tips and information to help reduce the amount of waste we create as a community,” Mr Vatskalis said.
“Recycling Awareness Month aims to build a community of recycling heroes who will share their stories and champion the benefits of recycling to create a more sustainable future for our city.
“By reducing, reusing and recycling our resources every day – but especially during Recycling Awareness Month and Global Recycling Day – we can achieve better environmental outcomes such as reducing waste disposed of to landfill, cutting greenhouse gas emissions, and achieving a circular economy,” he said.
A recycling hero is a person who actively participates in and promotes recycling practices to help reduce waste going into landfill. They also encourage others to adopt eco-friendly habits and make environmentally responsible choices.
Local recycling hero Taneille Brann said she aimed to reduce waste by sorting, rinsing and properly disposing of recyclable materials, such as plastics, paper and metals.
“Recycling can be confusing,” Ms Brann said. “I’ve only just recently learned the importance of rinsing items before putting them in the yellow-lidded bin, and that throwing batteries in the red bin is a big no-no,” she said.
Recycling heroes who share pictures of their recycling efforts through City of Darwin’s social media, and live in the Darwin municipality, are eligible to receive an eco-friendly gift while stocks last.
For more information about Recycling Awareness Month, visit the City of Darwin website: darwin.nt.gov.au/council/news-media/march-is-recycling-awareness-month