The Marshall Liberal Government is declaring war on waste with the launch of a new campaign to encourage South Australians to improve their household waste management and reduce the amount sent to landfill.
The amount of household waste being produced during the COVID-19 pandemic has spiked with local councils seeing a more than 10 per cent rise in waste sent to landfill compared with this time last year – similar to amounts produced during the Christmas period.
The new statewide 'Which Bin' campaign builds on the award-winning 2019 education program which follows 'Vin' and his family in their quest to recycle more effectively.
Minister for Environment and Water David Speirs said better waste management is not only good for the environment, but it will grow the economy and help create jobs.
"With many South Australians spending more time at home in response to COVID-19 restrictions we have seen a spike in the amount of household waste being produced with levels similar to the Christmas period," said Minister Speirs.
"The new Which Bin campaign aims to better educate people on Which Bin is best for different items of household waste and improve our recycling and reuse.
"Better waste management is not only good for the environment but it's good for the economy with more than three times as many jobs created for every tonne of waste recycled or reused instead of going to landfill.
"Food waste is our biggest area for improvement with as much as 40 per cent of the material in South Australian household waste bins sent to landfill which could be diverted through the green bin to produce valuable commodities such as compost.
"There are simple things families can do help the situation such as getting a kitchen caddy to put food scraps in or just educating yourself on what products can go in each bin by visiting our whichbin.sa.gov.au website.
"By using our three kerbside bins more effectively local councils will save money by reducing landfill costs and for business the biggest savings are made by avoiding food waste in the first place. The cost of wasted materials, energy and labour is up to 10 times the cost of disposal."
The Marshall Liberal Government has also released two draft waste strategies for consultation; South Australia's Food Waste Strategy and the South Australia's Waste Strategy for 2020-25.
"South Australia has always been a nation-leader when it comes to waste management and South Australia's Food Waste Strategy – Valuing our Food Waste is Australia's first comprehensive blueprint for reducing and preventing food waste being sent to landfill," said Minister Speirs.
The Draft South Australia's Waste Strategy for 2020-25 supports the state's transition to a circular economy and to make it a national centre for reuse, remanufacturing, recycling and composting.
"An ambitious target of zero avoidable waste to landfill by 2030 is set to drive change. New sector targets for 2025 are: Municipal Solid Waste - 75% diversion (up from 70%); Commercial and Industrial Waste - 90% diversion (up from 80%); Construction and Demolition Waste - 95% (up from 90%)," said Minister Speirs.
"New directions are included to boost the economy and for positive environmental outcomes covering food waste, single-use plastics, regulatory reforms, education and behaviour change and market development through infrastructure investment and other measures."
For more information Which Bin to use, visit www.whichbin.sa.gov.au or call 1300 137 118
Click here to download the latest Which Bin videos.
For more information on the two new waste strategies visit www.greenindustries.sa.gov.au
