Managing waste is a critical issue in the modern world, as unfortunately humans produce a lot of it!
Being so far from major recycling centres makes the costs of transporting waste a challenging issue for the Alice Springs community. Alice Springs currently has no municipal recycling system, with the recent recycling crisis as a result of the ban on certain waste imports into China further adding to a delay in the introduction of kerbside recycling.
Some recycling initiatives exist, however with no kerbside recycling in place it is up to Alice Springs residents to be pro-active to recycle what they can. Go to the Alice Springs Town Council website for more information on waste management and recycling or download the Residential Recycling Guide.
ALEC has had an active role in sustainability and waste reduction education in Alice Springs through previous programs like desertSMART COOLmob, and ALEC Project Officer Rachel O'Leary is a waste management specialist working on a number of waste reduction projects.
In 2018 ALEC has conducted a waste audit of the Todd Mall Markets as part of a Science Engagement program funded by Inspiring Australia. ALEC has also run a number of Reduce Singe Use Plastics information stalls.
See the results of the Waste Audit and download a copy of our Waste Free Inspiration Tips.
Check out the Waste Free NT Facebook Page for some more great tips and initiatives.
ALEC has also produced Waste Wise in Alice, an Excursion Guide to the Alice Springs Regional Waste Management Facility. Waste Wise in Alice gives local students an opportunity to learn about waste management in their hometown by providing activities for students to complete before, during and after an excursion to the Alice Springs RWMF.
Arid Edge Environmental Services is a enterprise of ALEC and also provides consultancy services around waste audits, composting, waste management and preparing Alice Springs businesses for kerbside recycling. Enquire about waste management services or a waste audit here
ALEC is seeking a commitment by the Northern Territory Government and local governments to prioritise waste reduction, and limit plastic waste in the waste stream. ALEC has three overarching aims in reducing waste in Alice Springs:
- Successful implementation of kerbside recycling in Alice Springs by 2018
- There will be kerbside organics collection in Alice Springs by 2020
- Single use plastics are not used in public events by 2020
If you are interested in supporting our waste reduction campaigns or volunteering for the Reduce Single Use Plastics information stall please email Rachel.
Check out ALEC's Waste Reduction News here.