Take recycling another step further

“But I always recycle!” is the catchphrase of anyone caught out doing something less than good for our environment. Even my Federal MP bragged about his household recycling when I wrote to him about his party’s lack of support for climate change legislation. It’s not that I think recycling is bad, only that it’s just about the bare minimum you can do for your planet, and it doesn’t really impress me.

Most councils around Australia provide a kerbside recycling service, and it’s pretty easy to get into the habit of putting your paper, glass and plastics into a tub or bin. There’s really no excuse for not doing it (and if your council doesn’t do recycling, write to them and complain!).

However, most Go Greener readers are beyond that basic level of environmentalism. We know lots of different ways to conserve energy, save water and reduce waste. But there’s something extra we could all do to improve our recycling credibility.

When you’re shopping, buy recycled.

Although recycling services are getting more sophisticated all the time, recovering all sorts of useful materials, there’s not a lot of demand for things made from recycled materials. Only 36% of people in WA make an effort to buy recycled products, which I’m guessing would be similar around the country.

This makes it difficult for recyclers to make a profit (or even a living) and reduces jobs in that industry. Buy choosing recycled goods, you’re closing the loop of production, supporting a sustainable industry, and reducing your impact on the Earth.

There are so many things that you can get that have been made from reclaimed material. Sometimes you have to look in shops specifically for environmentally-friendly products, but you’d be surprised what you can find in your usual shopping centre too.

• Paper is the obvious starting point: there’s not a single type of paper product that doesn’t have a recycled alternative. I’ve talked about toilet paper before, but look into office copy paper, envelopes, magazines, paper towels, tissues, greeting cards, the lot. You can also get other office or school supplies involved. Or how about handbags made from old telephone books?
• Glass is usually recycled into new bottles and jars because it’s endlessly reusable – you just melt it and reshape it however you like. Check your usual products to see if they’re using recycled glass. But it can also be turned into beautiful jewellery, drinking glasses or put into kitchen counter-tops.
• Plastic is another one that’s easy to recycle and reuse for containers. It can go also into thongs, outdoor furniture, and wallets. It’s starting to be used for phones and even fleecy clothes!

But it’s not just for little things. Don’t forget the big stuff either: insulation, timber for your furniture and garden, and reclaimed building materials for your renovations.

Next time you’re buying something, check the labels of your options and see if you can choose one made from recycled materials. If you’re a business owner, you might like to check out the Buy Recycled Business Alliance, which can help you find places to buy recycled-content supplies and packaging.