Multicultural Festival in harmony with the environment


Released 25/07/2017

More than 280,000 visitors managed to recycle a record breaking 10 tonnes of mixed recycling through the yellow top bins provided throughout the Multicultural Festival, Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury said today.

“Ten tonnes of recycling is more than double any previous year’s figures, showing the Canberra community ‘gets’ the importance of reducing our ecological footprint,” Mr Rattenbury said.

This is the sixth year the festival organisers and Actsmart have teamed up to ensure as much recycling is recovered from one of Canberra’s biggest events.

“Ten tonnes is a lot of plastic cups, paper plates and cans and the fact there were no loads rejected by the recycling contractor shows people are becoming increasingly aware of how to sort recycling.  

“On top of the cups, plates and cans, 800 litres of used cooking oil was also sent for recycling, and 2,000 litres of waste water from vendors was diverted to grey water.

“The figures are the result of important support work from the Actsmart team who were on hand to support organisers with advice, on-site recycling stations and signage. Actsmart representatives were also on hand for the entire three days at their festival information and education stall.

“More than 1000 visitors to the Actsmart stall got a lesson on how to recycle through an interactive recycling game. This reinforced the recycling message throughout the festival,” Mr Rattenbury said.

“These figures are a tribute to organisers, festival goers and the Actsmart team who have together made the festival more sustainable than any previous year.

“This fantastic result shows that we can hold a major event like the Multicultural Festival and do a brilliant job reducing any negative impact on the environment,” Mr Rattenbury said.

- Statement ends -

Shane Rattenbury, MLA | Media Releases

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