Council highlights recycling during National Recycling Week

National Recycling Week, from 8 to 14 November, offers a great chance to get creative with a number of workshops and activities on offer across Redlands Coast.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said recycling was more than just what goes out for kerbside collection, it also is a mindset around keeping items in use, and reuse, for as long as possible.

“Whether that’s sharing or repairing, or recycling materials or repurposing products, it all goes towards reducing waste to landfill,” Cr Williams said.

“Council lifts around 1.6 million yellow-lid recycling bins every year across 62,000 households, picking up more than 10,000 tonnes or 10 million kilograms of recycling as part of a fortnightly collection service.

“But while the amount of household waste being recycled is fantastic, there unfortunately has been an increase in the contamination rate in recycling bins. In 2015/16 it was around 6.9 per cent but rose to 12.24 per cent in the 2020/21 financial year.

“So I remind you that there are just five types of materials that can go in your kerbside recycling bin – paper, cardboard, glass jars and bottles, aluminium and steel cans, and firm plastic containers and bottles, most of which will come from your kitchen, bathroom or laundry.

“If you want to double check what can and can’t be recycled, have a look at Council’s comprehensive online guide: A-Z of waste recycling or you can pick up a Recycling Guide from one of our customer service centres.

“Throughout the week, the Cleveland Lighthouse will be lit up in yellow as a reminder about recycling and using your yellow-lid bins.”

Cr Williams said National Recycling Week was a great opportunity for the community to stop and think about its recycling habits and make sure they were being done correctly.

“Council also has some fantastic workshops during the Week that can help the younger members of our community to embrace supporting a zero waste to landfill future,” she said.

“Council’s Library and Waste teams are joining forces to create a recycling themed pop-up library event on Friday morning, 12 November in Thornlands Community Park off Cleveland Redland Bay Road. Bookings are required.

“There will be a library Story Time session for little ones, with interactive recycling activities. Our very own Ranger Stacey will be there to show how to sort your recyclables as well as sharing her ideas for reusing and upcycling items.

“And one of Council’s recycling trucks will drop by to give a demonstration on how kerbside recycling works.

“So I urge you to bring the family along to these National Recycling Week events and get creative with your recycling.”

Upcycle your week with these great events:

9 November, DIY macrame jar holder, Capalaba Library, 10am-11am

Join the beginner macramé session and enjoy re-using resources in thoughtful and creative ways. Use simple knotting and weaving techniques to create your own hand-made jar holder – giving your old jars a new life. Bookings essential

10 November, upcycled seedling trays, Cleveland Library, 9.30am-10.30am

Enjoy giving old items a second chance in this environmental workshop by making seedling trays from upcycled materials. Also learn how reusing food waste can revitalise your garden, and discover easy ways to grow amazing new vegetables from scraps. Bookings essential

11 November, plantable seed gift tags, Victoria Point Library, 10am-noon

Use recycled materials to give a gift that continues to grow by making reusable seed gift tags in this environmentally friendly drop-in workshop. No booking required. More details

 12 November, pop-up library, Thornlands Community Park, 9.30am-10.30am

Join the Libraries team and special guest Ranger Stacey (pictured) to celebrate reading, literacy and recycling at the pop-up library in the park. Ages 0-5. Bookings essential

 13-14 November, garage sale trail, Redlands Coast

Sell or shop at local garage sales as a way of diverting valuable resources from landfill. Garage Sale Trail offers tips, support and promotional materials for successful and COVID-safe sale days either online or in the suburbs. More details