Public Place Recycling
'Do the Right thing, Use the Right bin'
Background
The aim of the Queensland Government Public Place Recycling project is to deliver Public Place Recycling (PPR) across the State that will:
- be as reliable and consistent as kerbside recycling collections,
- will change peoples' behaviour so that they can continue to recycle when they are away from home, and
- boost Queensland's packaging recycling rates under the National Packaging Covenant
Improving PPR will increase volumes of recyclable materials available for reprocessing back into new products. As a result, the additional greenhouse gas emissions and water usage associated with extraction, transportation and processing requirements of new materials are avoided.
Did you know?
Recycling just one plastic bottle saves enough energy to power a light bulb for 30 hours! |
Just one recycled aluminium can saves enough energy to run a television set for 3 hours! |
For each tonne of paper or cardboard recycled, 30,000 litres of water are saved! |
Recycling just one glass bottle saves enough energy to power a washing machine for 10 minutes! |
While a good rate of recycling is already being achieved through kerbside collections in Queensland, it is estimated a further 50% of recyclable material is generated away from home and has yet to be captured.
There is now a much greater expectation in the community that there will be access to recycling facilities wherever they go. Recent research has concluded that a vast majority of the population would like the option to recycle away from home but are unable to do so due to a lack of available recycling bins.
Over the next 2 years the Public Place Recycling project will involve the simultaneous tasks of rolling out recycling bins in public places, accompanied by the new awareness raising campaign 'Do the Right thing, Use the Right bin' The project will aim to target the following public venues;
- Shopping Centres
- Stadium and Sporting venues
- Events and Festivals
- Parklands
- Local Council
- Theatres and Entertainment venues
- Theme Parks
- Transit Centres and Hubs
We are keen to talk with representatives from the above list who are interested in joining the PPR project.
What's available?
The department is pleased to announce support for the installation by Councils of public place recycling facilities. Local Buy is now able to supply dual recycling and waste bin enclosures on behalf of the department and Queensland Councils. There are (3) three different design options. For further information about what is on offer please click here.
Bin Caps and Signage
The department would like to invite venue managers, Councils and community groups who operate public access areas to apply for the free bin caps, signage and promotional materials for application to recycling systems at sporting and race venues, markets, entertainment and convention centres and other public areas. Waste contractors are also welcome to apply for the package to hold for loan to clients (on a free of charge basis) to temporary events. Further information on eligibility can be found at the following link.
'Do the right thing, Use the right bin' Stickers and Signage
To further enhance the use of present and future recycling facilities located in public spaces, the Queensland Government has prepared a range of sticker, poster, signage and promotional items. For information on how to obtain the free materials please click here.
Funding
The project has a budget of $1.1M, made up by contributions from industry under the National Packaging Covenant, the Packaging Stewardship Forum and matched funding from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Sponsoring Partners
National Packaging Covenant
http://www.environment.gov.au/settlements/waste/covenant/index.html
Packaging Stewardship Forum
http://www.afgc.org.au/index.cfm?id=447
Contact Details
For further information on the PPR project please contact: Tamara.miller@epa.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 05 May 2009