China’s ban in early 2018, on recyclable materials from Australia, prompted the City of Gosnells, Western Australia, like many local governments, to act quickly to educate and engage residents about what this meant for the local and wider community.
Mayor, David Goode, said, “The City of Gosnells didn’t see this as one authority’s problem – it’s a community issue, which is why our waste and communications teams came together to develop a special 12-month marketing campaign.”
A survey of residents identified ongoing confusion about what items could be recycled under new guidelines for recyclables, so much of the campaign used a ‘recycle right’ theme.
The messaging was simple and direct, with social media proving to be the most effective at reaching residents.
“A video showing what happens to recycling was viewed over 4000 times, shared more than any of our other Facebook posts and generated great online conversation within our community.
“We also used graphics, monthly Facebook and Instagram posts, eNewsletters and a range of traditional media and marketing materials to communicate with residents and business owners, providing tips and dispelling common myths around recyclable items.”
In the past financial year, calls to the City’s Contact Centre about waste increased by 2000, the City’s waste-to-landfill tonnage was reduced by over 1000 tonnes. A record 23,940kg of flammable, toxic, explosive and corrosive items were collected through the City’s Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day – the second biggest collection day ever held in Perth.
“These results show that people are becoming more aware of what happens to waste, what they are consuming and how they’re disposing of the waste, recyclables and unwanted hazardous materials,” the Mayor said.
The City continues to engage and educate locals about sustainability and waste management through its Switch Your Thinking initiative, which champions a broad range of waste reduction activities.
