Griffith University’s EcoCentre has joined forces with global recycling powerhouse Terracycle to launch an innovative waste management program at the Nathan campus.
Terracycle at Griffith aims to make the University “ground zero” for an initiative to divert specific waste streams away from landfill.
Terracycle is aneco-friendly international success story operating in 21 countries and with more than 60 million participants who recycle or upcycle more than four billion pieces of rubbish each year.
Its programs, called Brigades, harvest specific waste streams such as oral care products, cleaning products, cigarette butts and coffee pods, turning them into common products and materials including watering cans, outdoor furniture, automotive parts and clothing.
“Griffith’s program will involve collecting oral care waste such as toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and floss packaging as part of the Colgate Oral Care Brigade, and we will soon be collecting cleaning product packaging for the Nature’s Organics Cleaner Packaging Brigade, again to turn into new products,” says EcoCentre manager Ms Delwyn Langdon.
“Staff, students and the general public will be able to come in and do some good with their waste.
“We’re excited that Griffith will be the first university in Australia with a multi-stream Terracycle program, setting an example for other tertiary institutions and large organisations.”
Specially marked waste deposit boxes can now be found on the Nathan campus and there is also the opportunity for staff and students to become “Terracycle champions” by promoting the program within their area of the University.
Terracycle’s Australian general manager, Ms Anna Minns, and communications manager Ms Ausseels Thanaphongsakorn, attended last week’s launch of Terracycle at Griffith.
It is a meaningful partnership for the EcoCentre, which reflects the University’s commitment to sustainability through information and resources promoting sustainable development, environmental education and research, and community engagement.
The EcoCentre will be conducting demonstrations, displays and information sessions at Griffith University’s Open Day at the Nathan campus from 9am-2pm on Sunday, August 9