Waste Education
G - Gift
Don’t toss it—pass it on! If you have unwanted but still usable items like clothing, toys, or furniture, consider donating, swapping, or selling them. Options include Facebook Marketplace, one of our many local opportunity shops, or the City of Busselton Reuse Shop Operated by Workpower.
R - Recycle
Stick to the “Recycle just these 5” rule for your yellow-top bin:
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Cans (aluminium and steel)
- Plastic bottles and containers
- Glass bottles and jars
Items such as soft plastics, coffee cups, and containers with food residue—like greasy pizza boxes—should go in the general waste bin. To give your recyclables the best chance of being transformed into new items, make sure they’re clean, free of food scraps, with lids removed, and placed loose in the bin.
E - Earth-Cycle
Earth-cycling is recycling your organic waste back to the earth. You can do this easily at home using a compost bin or worm farm for instance. Learn more about earth-cycling methods here.
A - Avoid
The best thing we can do is to avoid creating waste in the first place. For example, you could choose nude food (no packaging) or use reusable items over single use ones such as bags, cups, bottles and straws.
T - Take
Some waste items require special handling, so setting up collection boxes at home for items including electronic waste and batteries is a great idea. Gather them over time, and when you're ready, drop them off at your nearest e-waste or hazardous waste disposal point. Make it easy by taking them along when you're out—whether heading to the gym, shops, library, or local council recycling centre. See the Community Reuse and Recycle Map link at the bottom of this page for all of the locations specialised waste/recyclables can be taken.
Did You Know?
On average, 50% of household waste is organic, like food scraps and plant material. Composting or using a worm farm is a great way to reduce landfill! Learn more about composting here.
Waste Education Program
The City offers free waste education visits to schools, childcare facilities, educational organisations, community groups and businesses within the City of Busselton to promote waste reduction, recycling, and sustainability. The Recycling Education Officer conducts the sessions at your school or organisation, or we can book a venue space if required.
School & Early Learning Centre Programs
The City of Busselton supports local schools and early learning centres with waste education.
At schools, the City of Busselton’s Waste and Recycling Education Officer can help with:
- Becoming an accredited WasteSorted School
- Conducting a waste audit
- Applying for grant funding for waste management and education through WasteSorted Schools
- Providing advice to solve waste management issues or to improve waste management at the school
- Visit your classroom to conduct a waste and recycling lesson plan with interactive activity
- Facilitate the WasteSorted games with help from teachers & parent helpers (suitable for primary age students)
At early learning centres, the City of Busselton’s Waste and Recycling Education Officer can provide an interactive waste and recycling education session with your 3-5 year olds. We can also organise a waste truck to visit the centre where the children can see it up-close and in action.
For more information or to request a booking please contact the City's Waste and Recycling Education Officer via waste.edu@busselton.wa.gov.au
Community Groups
Community groups can also book free waste education talks on request. Our Waste and Recycling Education Officer has visited retirement groups, church groups, gardening groups, mental helth support groups, groups of general interested members of the community, rotary groups and others.
Topics include:
- Waste and Recycling – correct sorting
- Waste Minimisation / Zero Waste Lifestyle
- Plastic free living
- Sustainability
- Reducing and managing food waste
- Conducting a waste audit
For more information or to request a visit/presentation please contact the City's Waste and Recycling Education Officer at waste.edu@busselton.wa.gov.au
Businesses
The City’s Waste and Recycling Education Officer can provide your business with free personalised waste advice. Send an email to waste.edu@busselton.wa.gov.au to discuss.
Helpful Resources
- Containers for Change – WA’s container deposit scheme (10c refund for eligible beverage containers). A FREE fundraising toolkit is available to eligible organisations (including schools, community groups and charities).
- Reusable Cloth Nappy Workshop Series - FREE workshops for those looking for a sustainable alternative to disposal nappies.
- Plastic Free July - Plastic Free July aims to raise awareness of the problems with single-use disposable plastic and challenges people to do something about it. Choose to refuse single-use plastics this July.
- ShareWaste – A resource for connecting people who wish to recycle their kitchen scraps with their neighbours who are already composting, worm-farming or keep chickens.
- Treading My Own Path – A wonderful blog dedicated to sustainability and zero waste living.
- Story of Stuff – A great resource for learning more about consumption, waste and sustainability.
- Responsible Cafes – Find local cafes which offer a discount if you BYO coffee cup.
- Community Repair Co Op - Volunteer repairers will have a go at fixing your clothes and household items for a gold coin donation. Held at the St George's Family Centre, 48 Gibney St, Dunsborough on the last Saturday of every month (excl Dec) at 9am-11am.
- Signal Park Sellathon - Your annual reuse market event - Held in March each year. Contact waste.edu@busselton.wa.gov.au for information.
- FEAST (Food Education and Sustainability Training) is a primary (yr 5/6) and high school (yr 7/8) curriculum-aligned program which explores the issue of food waste and its environmental impact, healthy eating and easy classroom cooking. FREE full curriculum package available including lessons, recipes, student workbook and access to teacher training and support.
- Little Green Steps WA - Sustainability education support for early childhood learning settings/centres.
Related Information
Sorting Your Waste
Construction & Demolition Waste Guidance
WA Plan for Plastics - June 2023-2025
Re-use Route Flyer
Community Reuse and Recycle Map