Forget about recycling, we need to start re-using

With China banning all types of recyclable containers, it’s time for us to take a new path in the use of containers. In fact the word recycle could be replaced with the word reuse and to take our possible change of thinking further, let’s add the word zero to waste so we always refer to zero waste when discussing unwanted product.

We need to re-use, nor just recycle.

I believe that most people would agree that they would prefer purchasing household products and take away food and drinks in reusable containers. So it is time to seriously introduce container deposit legislation, which has been ignored by successive Victorian governments for many years.

To pay people to collect reusable containers makes a lot of sense rather than paying councils for a Band-Aid recycling service.

Read the comment by Peter Cox in today’s Age - “Forget about recycling, we need to start re-using.”

Nakits's 'Zero Waste' push in Shepparton

The woman behind an initiative aimed at reducing the region’s waste output believes it could potentially ease the strain of the Chinese recycle ban.

Nakita Thomson - she wants
"Zero waste" in Shepparton.

Shepparton psychology student Nakita Thomson, who is based in Bendigo, began a Zero Waste Community Facebook group last week, aimed at raising community awareness about the issue.

The digital group shares inspiration and tactics behind the reduction of waste and recycling output, and has encouraged businesses to share which of their products are zerowaste friendly.

The group has earned almost 100 supporters, including Shepparton councillor Fern Summer, RiverConnect and the Beneath the Wisteria group.

Ms Thomson said she first hopped onto the movement six months ago, but decided to start something in Shepparton as one solution to China’s recent Australian waste ban.

‘‘I can see Shepparton being really affected by this, there’s uncertainty around recyclables, so all of that will be in the ground, which is really bad,’’ Ms Thomson said.

‘‘I see this as an opportunity for the community to take things into their own hands, to deal with the waste problem, and I think it could potentially mean more jobs for people.’’

Recent changes in world export markets mean Visy has temporarily stopped accepting recyclable materials from the kerbside collection company, hitting many councils across Victoria.

The ban has the potential to leave reusable rubbish with no place to go.

Homemade lipstick using beetroot.

The council has said it was working to identify alternative arrangements for recyclable material processing, but a spokesperson said there had been no solution from the state government to date.

City of Greater Shepparton councillor Fern Summer said Ms Thomson’s initiative was proactive.

Cr Summer said it was up to the state government to provide a financial solution, as current recycling arrangements were hazardous and environmentally irresponsible.

‘‘We’re so consumptive as a generation, we don’t think about what we buy and where it goes after we finish using it, so this could be a great wake-up call,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s more important than ever for individuals to be mindful, we can’t rely on overseas markets anymore, we can’t bury recyclables in a hole forever, we need to find ways to be less wasteful or we’ll ruin our environment.’’

Story by Rhiannon Tuffield from today’s Shepparton News - “Waste not, want not.”