Public Place Recycling

Introduction

South Australia’s community has responded positively to improvements in kerbside collection services with increased amounts of material being recycled and diverted from landfill. However, half of all product packaging is consumed away from the home and misses out on being picked up in kerbside recycling collections.

Wherever food and drinks are consumed in public places litter and waste is generated. Where waste collection is provided but there is no provision for recycling, the materials end up in landfill. When there is no system of collection some waste ends up as litter. Zero Waste SA’s market research shows that:

• 82% of people would separate their waste into separate bins if recycling bins were available at events or in public places.
• 8 out of 10 people care about recycling and that positive recycling behaviours are attributed primarily to the notion of being socially responsible.

If public place recycling facilities are available most people will use these facilities. However there are limited public place and ‘away from home’ recycling programs in South Australia. As a result there is a disconnection between positive recycling behaviours and opportunities at home and in the workplace compared with recycling behaviour and opportunities ‘away from home’.

Zero Waste Events program
The Zero Waste Events Program has fostered a large number of public event recycling initiatives in South Australia. These initiatives have provided public event organisers funding and support to minimise waste and maximise recycling at their events.
These initiatives have sent an educational message to members of the community reinforcing the connection between home-based recycling and away from home recycling. They have also shown that the public will engage in recycling activity in public places. In 2005-06, more than 470,000 people attended a Zero Waste SA supported event!

What’s happening now?
Given the diversity of events undertaken in South Australia Zero Waste SA is reviewing its current guidelines, Minimising Waste at Public Events – Guidelines for Event Organisers. The information is being updated to take into account the needs of different types and sizes of venues and events, such as:

• 24-hour access/high visitation public areas such as outdoor shopping precincts and foreshores.
• Public events which attract crowds under 5000 patrons such as community fetes, industry events and cultural events.
• Public events that attract more than 5000 patrons which receive significant media attention and government sponsorship.
• Fixed locations where major State, national and international public activities.

While this work is being undertaken Zero Waste SA has suspended its funding of events. In the meantime, event organisers can download the current guidelines or request a hard copy by contacting erin.henson@zerowaste.sa.gov.au.

Things you can do
Increasing event organisers are taking the initiative to introduce simple measures to minimise waste. Some of these measures which don’t necessarily mean extra up front costs. For example, give some thought to these ideas…

• ban the use of plastic bags at the event (eg show bags/sample bags)
• ensure exhibitors and sponsors minimise packaging and promotional material that is not recyclable
• encourage exhibitors and sponsors to take back all material that cannot be recycled at the event
• make sure that beverage and food packaging should be based on reusable and recyclable materials
• set up a box on or near the event site exit for fliers, poster and other paper products, so that they can be reused or recycled
• borrow as much equipment and materials where possible
• where possible purchase and sell beverages in recyclable/refillable containers.

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