NATIONAL RECYCLING WEEK 2025: MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER – SUNDAY 16 NOVEMBER
Every November since 1996, Planet Ark has invited Australians to take part in National Recycling Week — a week dedicated to rethinking our relationship with waste. This year, National Recycling Week runs from the 10th to the 16th of November and offers a timely opportunity to reflect on how we consume, dispose, and reuse materials in our daily lives. It’s more than just a reminder to rinse our jars and flatten our boxes, it’s a national call to action to reduce waste, recycle right, and embrace smarter, more sustainable ways of living.
WHY THIS MATTERS NOW MORE THAN EVER
Australia is facing a looming landfill crisis. In the past year alone, over 22 million tonnes of waste have been sent to landfill. Cities like Sydney are projected to run out of landfill space within five years, and disposal costs are expected to rise as waste is transported to regional areas.
While recycling has long been a cornerstone of waste management, experts warn that it’s no longer enough. Recycling is energy-intensive and often emissions-heavy. The real solution lies in reduction and reuse. The more we avoid using in the first place and the more we can circulate for as long as possible, the less we have wasted.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: LOCAL ACTIONS THAT MATTER
At Switch Your Thinking, we believe that local action drives national change. Here’s how you can rethink waste in your home, workplace, or community:
1. RECYCLE RIGHT
Recycling only works when it’s done correctly. Using free tools like Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You helps ensure that items go in the right bin and contamination is avoided. Even small mistakes — like putting soft plastics in the recycling bin — can send entire loads to landfill. Take a moment to check before you toss.
2. CHOOSE TO REUSE
Opting to reuse rather than replace helps cut down on waste and conserves resources. Repairing a broken item or buying second-hand not only saves money but also keeps valuable materials in circulation. One reusable item — like a drink bottle or shopping bag — can replace dozens of disposables over its lifetime.
3. REDUCE WASTE AT THE SOURCE
The best way to manage waste is to prevent it from being created in the first place. Choosing products with minimal packaging, or those made from recycled materials, helps reduce the volume of waste entering our bins. Every purchase is a chance to support smarter production and consumption.
4. GET CREATIVE WITH WASTE
Recycling doesn’t have to end at the bin — it can be the beginning of something new. Try turning recyclable materials like cardboard, glass jars, or plastic containers into craft projects or practical household items. This is a fun way to engage kids and adults alike!
LET'S LEAD THE WAY
National Recycling Week is a springboard — not just for reflection, but for action. It’s a chance to move beyond the basics and start building long-term habits that reduce waste and support a circular economy. Whether it’s rethinking how we shop, how we dispose, or how we educate others, every small shift contributes to a larger cultural change.
Planet Ark’s Recycling Near You hub is a great place to start, offering free tools and resources to help households, schools, workplaces, and councils take practical steps. From fun activities for kids to detailed guides for tackling tricky waste items, there’s something for every age and stage.
At Switch Your Thinking, we’re here to help turn ideas into impact. We work with councils and communities to support waste reduction strategies that go beyond the bin — encouraging innovation, collaboration, and leadership at every level. Because when we lead locally, we inspire change nationally.