Why Should We Recycle?

There are many obvious and practical reasons why it is important for individuals, communities, businesses and governments on a local and international level, to develop innovative recycling habits.

By expanding on our current and waste management practices we can reduce:

• Greenhouse gas emissions
• Water and air pollution
• The effects of climate change

We can improve conservation of precious natural resources such as

• Native forests
• Water
• Gas
• Minerals
• Petroleum

We can also save money through:

• Buying new products less often
• Redusing waste disposal costs
• Getting more value out of what we buy
• Improving the way in which we manage resources such as water, gas and energy
• Reducing the amount of waste we send to landfill

To help make the planet, and your local environment, a cleaner, greener place to live, work and play there are the "Four R's" - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover.

Reduce

Train yourself to buy products that have less packaging and a longer life-span.

Reuse

Find alternative uses for everyday items such as cardboard boxes, plastic containers and plastic bags.

Recycle

Look at ways to recycle a used product into a new one and take advantage of your council and workplace recycling programs.

Recover

Learn to recognise what may be potential resource, and look for products made from recycled materials.