DECOR HOME GARDEN
Tackling the 30,000-tonne waste challenge
New research shows almost half the waste
in our home rubbish bins needlessly goes to
landfill.
A recent audit found that 40% of the waste in a typical
Mornington Peninsula household garbage bin is food waste
that could have been composted or avoided all together
by not wasting food. And nearly one tenth of the ‘rubbish’
is recyclable materials including steel cans and cardboard.
That’s why Mornington Peninsula Shire has launched ‘Think
Less Waste’ - a new initiative calling on residents to help
halve the 30,000 tonnes of food waste, garden clippings,
rubbish and recyclables we send to landfill each year. ‘Think
Less Waste’ incorporates an innovative community-focused
challenge which aims to help Mornington Peninsula homes
reduce waste and get recycling right.
“We love our beautiful natural environment and our abundant
healthy, locally grown and produced food - we’re famous for it,”
says Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor, Cr Antonella Celi.
“It’s why many of us choose to live here and why so many
holiday here. It’s really is a lifestyle worth protecting,” she says
Cr Celi says taking up the ‘Think Less Waste’ challenge is an
easy way to make a real difference.
“I’m confident that if residents on the Mornington Peninsula
knew about the full range of items that can be recycled, and
more of us started home composting, we could make a huge
dent in our waste figures.
I think that once you have good, practical tips and information,
it becomes easier to avoid wasting food - and save money.”
Cr Celi’s comments come in response to the 2013 audit,
which also found some residents are putting the wrong
things into their recycling bins. Plastic bags, and recyclable
items in plastic bags, were key contaminants found inside
our kerbside recycling bins.
Most people do not know that one contaminated
kerbside recycling bin can result in the whole
truck of recyclables being sent to landfill.
“We’re enthusiastic recyclers; the results show that. Yet the
audit results suggest we could recycle a lot better by learning
about the right things to do” says Cr Celi.
“That’s why I’d love Mornington Peninsula locals to join me on
the Think Less Waste Challenge,” she said.
The Think Less Waste Challenge is a free, three-month
program that provides information, resources, tools and
workshops for Mornington Peninsula residents to reduce
waste and save money.
Households participating in the challenge will receive:
• ailored fact sheets, hints and tips to help reduce waste in
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the home and shop smarter
• ccess to help and support from experts over the
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three-month program
• nvitations to attend exclusive free events and
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workshops
• ‘Think Less Waste’ toolkit (including a welcome gift)
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valued at $50.
For more information or to sign up to the Challenge,
go to:
www.facebook.com/thinklesswaste or www.mornpen.
vic.gov.au/thinklesswaste or email thinklesswaste@
mornpen.vic.gov.au
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