Once in landfill these resources are lost and and will take a very long time to break down, if ever. If organic material, such as food end up in landfill, it rots creating methane which is a harmful greenhouse gas.
All of the items that we use and consume; eg. cars, buildings, clothes, food, containers, and furniture, are made from our environment and use natural resources like water, coal, oil or wood. If these products aren’t reused or recycled and sent to landfill, then new material has to come from our environment to create new products. This uses energy, water and other natural resources. Greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change, are created by the production and transport of materials as well as through rotting organic material in landfill. There is also less and less space available for landfill sites.
Avoiding waste is the best option for the environment, then reducing, reusing and recycling.
Find out which bin an item should go in using Green Industries SA 'which bin?' search engine. Visit the Which Bin website.
Examples of waste include:
Download the My Local Services app on your smartphone for up-to-date information and events. You can see when Council payments are due, set bin reminders, and get handy recycling tips.
Implementation of the My Local Services App is part of the City of Mount Gambier improving its customer service delivery on a mobile platform.
The FREE app can be downloaded on iPhone and Android. Search "My Local Services" in the App Store or the Play Store, or click your platform below:
Download on the Apple app store here
Download on Google Play here