Here are six reasons why businesses in Albury, Corowa, Greater Hume, Wodonga, Towong, and Indigo local government areas should be concerned about waste:

• A big proportion of the commercial and industrial waste that ends up in landfills in Australia is made up of organic, degradable materials that emit greenhouse gases as they break down. Much of the material in the waste could be diverted before it reaches the waste stream or could have potential resource value if recycled.

• The NSW and Victorian Governments have set state recycling targets for the commercial and industrial sector to be achieved by the year 2014: NSW = 63% and Victoria = 80%. 2014 is less than 4 years away and all local government areas are falling well short of these targets.

• Businesses in the greater Albury region generate approximately 62% of the waste that is sent to Albury landfill.

• A waste characterisation study carried out on commercial and industrial waste coming in to Albury Waste Management Centre in 2005 found that more than a third of the waste sent to the landfill from this sector was recyclable material including paper, cardboard, metal, plastics, timber and glass.

• Costs of sending waste to landfill are going to continue to increase as governments apply landfill levies and the threat of a carbon pollution reduction scheme looms. It makes sense to look at ways to reduce waste from your business as it will save you money and may present opportunities for increased business efficiency.

• Waste avoidance, reuse and recycling can make a strong contribution to preserving the Albury region’s beautiful natural environment. A commitment to the environment can attract new customers, reduce overheads and build company, community and investor confidence.  

Local businesses can do a lot to ensure the greater Albury region has a bright, clean future through improved waste management practices. The Halve Waste campaign is offering a number of tools to assist businesses to reduce waste and increase recycling including free business waste assessments, a waste information kit, and a business pledge program.

Click here to read tips on how to reduce waste from your business.