Waste management
The best way to manage waste is to reduce it. Buy less. Recycle and compost. The ACT Government aims to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and to increase resource recovery to over 90% by 2025.
Emissions from waste account for around 4% of the ACT’s overall greenhouse gas emissions. Tonnes of waste are sent to landfill. Organic materials in this waste break down and release methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas.
To help manage this, we have a clear direction in our ACT Waste Management Strategy 2011–2025 [PDF 1.8MB].
This strategy helps us to think about rubbish as a resource. We're adopting new technologies to convert our waste into valuable resources, such as turning food and garden organics into compost and for powering homes in the ACT.
Did you know?
In the ACT, around 35% of the average household bin is food and garden waste and 12% is items that could have been recycled.
Reducing waste
One of the best things we all can do to help the environment is reduce our waste – at home, school and work.
Some of the ways we can do that include:
- buying second-hand or borrowing items, such as clothes, rather than buying new
- choosing products that can be recycled or that contain recycled materials
- avoiding packaging, and recycling where possible
- avoiding items with individual wrapping
- buying in bulk to reduce packaging
- using a reusable fruit and vegetable bag or skip the bag altogether
- using a basket, box or reusable shopping bag
- refusing plastic bags, cutlery and napkins when we don't need them
- eating leftovers and composting food scraps
- using your green bin for garden waste
- repairing or donating quality items
- setting up recycling for your business
- setting up effective waste and recycling systems in schools.
Some single-use plastics are now banned in the ACT. Take along your own reusable cutlery instead.
Did you know?
Only about 14% of school waste is rubbish. The rest can be recycled or composted.
Join the waste and recycling mailing list to stay up-to-date with news and activities.
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as traditional custodians of the ACT and recognise any other people or families with connection to the lands of the ACT and region. We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.