In order to help reduce the issue, MidCoast Council is hosting an open day at Gloucester Landfill and providing a range of upcycling workshops.

Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless, or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality or for better environmental value.

Council and its partners in waste management are committed to reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and it starts with small changes that can have a big impact.

“It’s about re-imagining the way we think about waste,” Council’s manager Waste Health and Regulatory Services, John Cavanagh said..

“Just by avoiding single-use items like coffee cups or packaged water, everyone can make a real difference.”

While council is focused on waste minimisation all year round, National Recycling Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness among the wider community and these messages are being reinforced with a range of activities throughout the week.

At the open day at Gloucester Landfill, on Saturday November 17, you can participate in a range of upcycling workshops taking place throughout the day from 10am to 4pm. Phone 6538 5250 for further information and bookings can be made at www.trybooking/YUWE

Community members are also invited to take a tour of the award-winning Tuncurry Community Recycling Centre and Material Recycling Facility to find out ways of reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and how to save money.

From 9.30am to 11.30am on Thursday November 15 the facility will be opening its doors for a second free tour and morning tea.

There are only 20 spots available for each event and bookings are essential. Visit www.trybooking.com/ZEAJ to secure your spot.

There are so many great ways the community can get involved in National Recycling Week around the area, and plenty of ways to practice waste reduction on a day-to-day basis including shopping at op shops and tip shops, or holding a clothes swap party with friends instead of throwing unwanted items in the bin.

For a listing of local op shops and more ideas on reducing, reusing and recycling in the MidCoast region, visit www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/recycling

“We can all be more mindful of what we throw away and how this impacts on the environment and National Recycling Week is a great time to start,” John said.. 

National Recycling Week is a Planet Ark initiative that targets education and behavioural change around waste minimisation. It is being run locally in conjunction with the Re-Imagine Waste program, part of MidCoast Council’s overall commitment to waste management.