REPORT FINDS SA LEADING THE WAY ON RUBBISH
Report finds SA leading the way on rubbish
Media Release - 9 February, 2009
South Australians are far better recyclers of beverage waste than the rest of the country, Clean Up Australia’s annual Rubbish Report has found.
Only 13 per cent of the rubbish found by volunteers on Clean Up Australia Day last year in South Australia was beverage waste, compared to the rest of Australia where it was up
to 40 per cent.
Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan AO said South Australia’s recycling success was largely due to the refund on offer for drink cans and bottles. No other state has this scheme in place.
However, Mr Kiernan said while the beverage container statistic is a positive sign, there are still challenges that all South Australians can help to solve.
“Almost 40 per cent of all rubbish found in South Australia could have been easily recycled, such as paper and plastics. Unfortunately, this recyclable rubbish is still being dumped in the state’s natural environment,“ Mr Kiernan said.
“Almost 19,000 plastic bags were removed from the state’s environment. I’ve no doubt this figure will drop significantly once the state’s plastic bag ban comes into effect.
Last year more than 78,000 volunteers across the state collected 580 tonnes of rubbish on Clean Up Australia Day.
Outdoor transport routes such as bus or tram stops and train stations are areas of particular concern in South Australia, topping the most polluted sites with an average of 1875 items of rubbish per site. This was closely followed by rivers and creeks where an average of 1184 items was found.
“No one likes to see rubbish lying around anywhere, especially in iconic areas like along South Australia’s river banks,” Mr Kiernan said.
“South Australians can take matters into their own hands on Sunday 1 March by getting involved in Clean Up Australia Day and helping to clean up their local environment.”
Clean Up Australia Day has been made possible through the support of major sponsors: McDonald's, Veolia Environnement and Commonwealth Bank, sponsors: Sanyo, suppliers: Pro Safety Gear, Qantas, Shop-A-Docket and Stockland.
Anyone can still register a Clean Up site by visiting www.cleanup.org.au or by calling 1800 CUAD DAY (1800 282 329).
Copies of the broadcast quality TV community service announcement ‘If you don’t help Clean Up Australia, who will’ are available on request.
Further information or interviews: Alana Mew, 0423 377 567
