What is not so widely known is that recycling can be an important weapon and underestimated weapon in the fight against global warming. And it is easy for every Australian to play a role in that fight.

Recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions from landfill, can reduce deforestation, saves energy and produces more energy-efficient products. These benefits cannot only be largely achieved with existing technology and infrastructure, but also with the help of the community. As one American research put it: "Reducing global emissions is as simple as putting recyclables on the kerb".

Key facts about Recycling

Waste and Greenhouse Emissions

•  Australia generates about 32.3 million tonnes of waste
a year (2002-2003 figures)¹

•  Of that, 14.9 million tonnes or 46% is recycled and
17.4 million tonnes or 54% is sent to landfill

•  Greenhouse gas emissions from waste to landfill
totalled 15 million tonnes of CO2(e) in 2004

•  Solid Waste to landfill causes 2.7% of Australia's
total emissions

•  In 2004 Australia's total emissions were 564.7
million tonnes of CO2(e)

•  Every tonne of paper sent to landfill emits 2.5 tonnes
of CO2(e), every tonnes of food waste 0.9 tonnes of
CO2(e) and every tonne of wood or timber 3.2 tonnes of CO2(e)²

Benefits from Recycling

By diverting waste from landfill and recycling more, greenhouse gas emissions are reduced because it stops emissions from landfills and recycling uses less energy than making products from virgin resources.

Through recycling and better waste management, Australia can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 37.8 million tonnes of CO2(e), a 6.7% reduction in total national emissions.¹ This can be achieved by actions such as:

-  avoided emissions from avoided landfilling

-  embodied energy savings from recycling

-  improved landfill gas capture and recovery

-  displacing fossil fuels by using renewable fuels derived from waste

•  If Australia does not stop landfilling and start recycling more, by 2020 Australia will emit 30.7 million tonnes of CO2(e) from landfill and by 2050 that will rise to 46.9 million tonnes³

•  Material in landfill degrades and emits greenhouse gases for decades, this means material sent to landfill now is still a greenhouse problem in 50-70 years time

 

1. "Waste and Recycling in Australia", Hyder Consulting / Department of Environment and Heritage , Canberra, November 2006

2. "Australian Greenhouse Office 2006 Factors and Methods Workbook for use in Australian Greenhouse Emissions Reporting". Australian Greenhouse Office, Canberra, February 2007

3. "The Potential Greenhouse Gas Liability from Landfill in Australia: An Examination of the Climate Change Risks from Landfill Emissions to 2050". Warnken ISE / Resource Recovery Collaboration, Sydney, August 2007