Research on Australia's Recycling Behaviour
Independent research, conducted for Planet Ark by Pollinate in 2010, has found when it comes to disposing of everyday household recyclables such as paper, cardboard and plastic bottles, more than 90 percent of Australians are getting it right, but when it comes to recycling e-waste items such as printer cartridges, almost 50 percent of people are getting it wrong.
The study of 1,000 people found 33 percent throw their used printer cartridges in the general waste bin and a further 14 percent place them in their council provided recycling bin.
It is encouraging that the vast majority of people are correctly recycling everyday household rubbish, but with e-waste now the fastest growing waste type, we can't allow e-waste recycling practices to lag behind others.
In addition to this, contamination is one of the biggest problems in recycling. When the wrong items are placed in a recycling bin it reduces the effectiveness of the entire recycling process.
Support the environment and help Planet Ark to increase printer cartridge recycling practices. Always dispose of your used printer cartridges correctly or register your workplace for a collection box.
