With toxic and valuable resources either polluting the environment or going to waste, Planet Ark's National Recycling Week is a timely reminder that Australians could be doing more to reduce their waste. 

This year Planet Ark are targeting car batteries, other electronic waste and office paper in particular, as many householders and businesses are unsure of how to dispose of these materials according to Planet Ark’s Manager of Recycling Programs, Janet Sparrow..

“We are good recyclers of newspapers, aluminium cans and milk and juice cartons, however what to do with e-waste is still the biggest problem facing Australian households and businesses,” Ms Sparrow said.

“Our two recycling information services receive hundreds of thousands of enquiries a year with the largest group being about e-waste.”  

Printer cartridges, mobile phones and batteries are three of the most common forms of electronic waste. More than 345 million batteries are purchased in Australia each year including 1.8 million car batteries

The ‘Cartridges 4 Planet Ark’ and MobileMuster programs both run through all Officeworks stores and participating Australian Post outlets. Cartridges and mobiles are recycled to high environmental standards.
   
Planet Ark founded National Recycling Week as a community education campaign in 1996, with the aim of bringing a national focus to recycling and minimising waste at home, at work and in the community. 

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