Taronga uses a range of initiatives to manage its waste effectively. The principles of Avoid, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle are used on a daily basis to ensure we are diverting as much material as possible from landfill.
Taronga’s public areas produce approx 35 tonnes of general waste each month. The waste is collected and managed to maximise recycling and waste diversion. Over 80 percent of the public place general waste is successfully diverted from landfill.
Behind the scenes, our staff are actively involved in reducing in-house wastes by:
- Recycling paper and cardboard
- Using shredded office waste paper for animal bedding
- Reusing chipped wood waste for landscaping
- Returning packaging/cardboard boxes to supplier
- Recycling toner cartridge and batteries
- They're Calling On You!
- Reducing food scraps through the use of divisional composts and worm farms
Taronga complies with NSW Government Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (WRAPP). The policy requires Taronga to have a WRAPP plan which outlines the ways in which the organisation reduces waste in four areas:
- paper products
- office equipment and components
- vegetation material
- construction and demolition material
Why should I avoid, reduce reuse recycle?
Every day, each one of us produces waste as we go about out normal activities. Ideally we should try and avoid waste altogether. By doing simple things like saying ‘no thanks’ to plastic bags or opting for products that haven't been over-packaged, we can all make a difference. Unless rubbish can be reused or sent for recycling, it will end up in licensed landfill. Space for landfill sites in Sydney alone is running out, we all need to do something about avoiding and reducing the amount of waste we produce.
Recycling is only part of the way to ensure our actions and choices are truly sustainable. Purchasing goods with recycled content helps ensure we create a demand for recycled products and promotes an industry which supports 'green goods'. This ultimately reduces the demand for raw materials or those made from virgin materials (lsuch as paper, toilet tissue, office products or furniture).
Did you know?
Making aluminium cans from recycled cans used 95 percent less energy compared to using raw materials.
The process used to make recycled paper uses 99 percent less water and around 40 percent less energy per tonne of paper (which is approx 400 reams of paper). This saves 278,000 litres of water and two tonnes of carbon emissions (source: Planet Ark).