Save Our Recycling

Local residents invited to have their say on household recycling in NSW

Residents in North Sydney are being asked to take part in a landmark recycling survey amid the deepening recycling crisis.

You can check out the survey here:

https://saveourrecycling.com.au/survey

The survey has been launched as part of Local Government NSW’s Save our Recycling campaign which calls for a state-wide approach to recycling which will allow us to collect, process and reuse recyclable material here in NSW. 

LGNSW President Linda Scott said the survey was a pertinent opportunity for local North Sydney residents to share their attitudes towards recycling and play an active role in combating the current recycling crisis enveloping NSW.

“Until recently, our recycling system relied heavily on the export of recycling to countries that have invested in the facilities to reprocess it, such as China and Malaysia,” Clr Scott said.

“These countries are now winding back the amount of recycling they will accept which means we urgently need to come up with a new solution for waste management here in NSW,” she said.

Survey participants will be asked a series of questions on their attitudes towards recycling, their individual recycling behaviours and their knowledge of NSW’s current recycling system.

“Across North Sydney we have already observed huge public support for recycling because it is a practical measure that helps the environment,” Clr Scott said.

“Local residents in North Sydney are doing their part to recycle, whether it be checking what goes into their recycling bins, kickstarting a composting regime or being resourceful and reusing some household items.

“This survey will allow us to gain deeper insights into what motivates people to recycle and will enhance our calls on the state government to come up with a practical, long-term solution to waste management,” said Ms Scott.

In addition to behavioural and attitudinal questions, the survey also asks participants a series of questions on the NSW Government’s waste levy.

The NSW government collected $727 million in 2017-18 from industry, businesses and local government through the Waste Levy, with $300 million of that paid by councils.

“Currently, only about 18 per cent of the $300 million paid by councils to the state government is reinvested into local recycling and waste management, with the rest disappearing into government coffers,” said Ms Scott.

“This survey is a really important opportunity for local North Sydney residents to have their say on recycling and to help shape the future of recycling in NSW,” said Ms Scott.