The dazzling and unstoppable juggernaut which is modern consumerism seems at times to overpower the best intentions of the environmentally conscious. While school children with their compelling hope for the future and questioning desire to change wasteful practices sound a note of potent possibility, on the macro level there appears to be little but procrastination or self-serving premature defeat. Whether it is the atrophy of leaders, the self-interested collusion of corporations or the more basic and ineluctable tidal lure of price, the disposable world we live can leave the average resident in a state of despair.
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Nevertheless some of the biggest differences we can make are simple behavioural changes which, if they become near universal, can have huge and lasting differences. So the abandonment of a proposed ban on plastic bags in Ballarat is probably a disappointment to many people. But this failed opportunity aside there is still much to be done and not least of which is simply sorting out the rubbish we already make. A big problem for Ballarat is “contamination” items like plastic bags, textiles, green waste and polystyrene ending up in recycling.
While Australia’s contamination rate in recycled bins is about 10 percent, for Ballarat the level is almost twice as high with a Council study this year showing the rate in recycled bins was at 17 percent. This is a cost worn by ratepayers.
There is also evidence to suggest across Australia a full third of general rubbish contains recyclables or green waste. While organics may have its advantages in landfill they are certainly better places for both to go. The problem seems to be a fundamental ignorance of exactly what should be recycled. Differences between council, region and business rules mean almost half of Australians end up confused about what can and cannot be recycled.
Deakin University environmental scientist Trevor Thornton cites the myth that people think they have to wash out recyclables when the systems can cope with this. He claims people still do it principally out of well-intentioned ignorance. Another report compiled for four regional councils in Victoria found that less than a third had ever looked at a council website for information about recycling but instead got their information from schools, local newspapers and bin stickers. Clearly we have along way to go and education and knowledge are the first steps to behaviour change.