Students schooled in waste wisdom

Some of Noosa’s school students are wiser about waste and recycling having had a visit from Council’s Towards Zero Waste project officer, Emma Menzies.

Since April Ms Menzies has visited eight schools to talk to the students about recycling – why it’s important and how to do it.

The visits are part of Council’s Towards Zero Waste initiative – aimed at cutting the amount of organic and recyclable waste Noosa sends to landfill.

“Students learn about what happens to our waste when it reaches landfill, as well as what happens to our recycling, and what can and can’t be recycled,” Ms Menzies said.

”We discuss simple ways we can reduce waste from landfill and the effects of plastic in our environment and ocean.

“Some of the schools, including Sunshine Beach State School, Sunshine Beach High School and Good Shepard Lutheran College, have seized the Towards Zero Waste message and, with Council’s help, have introduced recycling bins,” Ms Menzies said.

“Noosa is doing a good job of recycling – residents are among the best in the state – but we can still do better, with an estimated 2,000 tonnes of recyclable items still going to landfill each year.

“Magazines, aerosol cans, plastic food trays and clean pizza boxes are just some of the items that can go into the recycle bin, as well as cans, plastic bottles, cardboard and newspapers.

“One of the other important messages were are trying to convey is the importance of not contaminating the recycle bin with non-recyclable items such as plastic bags,” Ms Menzies said.

Towards Zero Waste is in keeping with Noosa’s community jury recommendations and Council’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan.

“With summer coming and lawns and gardens growing quickly, it’s a great time to call Council to order a green garden waste bin,” Ms Menzies said. 

“They’re perfect for lawn clippings, tree branches and palm fronds and you’ll be helping reduce compostable organic waste entering landfill, as well as saving on trips to the Landfill and Resource Recovery Facility.”

Garden waste bins are compulsory for all new homes. But any property owner can request a green bin by calling Council on (07) 5329 6500, or for more information visit the website.

Noosa Council has also published an A-Z Guide to Recycling. For further information about recycling visit Council's recycling page.  

7 October 2016