Case Study - NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services

This case study explores how City Return and Earn improved waste management and recycling practices at NSW National Parks, promoting sustainability.

Background

City Return and Earn has brought its services to NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services to introduce a comprehensive recycling initiative across various national parks in New South Wales. This collaboration aims to promote sustainability, educate park visitors about the benefits of recycling, and efficiently manage waste within the parks. This involves delivering recycling bins to the parks and collecting them once full for processing and refunding the money to Wildlife Services.

Challenge

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services faced challenges in managing waste generated by thousands of visitors. Ensuring effective recycling and minimizing landfill waste were primary goals. With diverse park locations and fluctuating visitor numbers, a flexible and efficient waste management solution was essential.

Solution

City Return and Earn delivered recycling bins to various park locations, educated visitors on proper recycling practices to encourage the placement of plastic and glass bottles, cans, and cardboard juice containers (eligible containers) in the recycling bins, separated from general waste bins, and ensured regular collection and processing of eligible containers. The goal was to create a seamless recycling experience for park visitors, reduce environmental impact, and generate earnings from recycled eligible containers refunded to Wildlife Services.

Implementation

The implementation of the City Return and Earn program in NSW National Parks involved several key steps:

1. Collaborative Planning: City Return and Earn worked closely with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services to identify optimal locations for recycling bins within the parks.
2. Infrastructure Setup: Recycling bins were delivered to parks and strategically placed, near carparks for example. Clear signage and educational materials were provided to guide visitors in the recycling process.
3. Logistics and Collection: A streamlined process was established for regular collection and transportation of bins to one of the two Sydney depots to process eligible containers and provide refunds to Wildlife Services.

Results

The partnership between City Return and Earn and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services allows significant environmental and social benefits:

• Waste Diversion: By integrating recycling practices into park operations, City Return and Earn facilitated the diversion of cans, plastic and glass bottles, and cardboard containers from landfills, contributing to resource conservation and waste reduction.
• Educational Impact: Visitors were educated on the importance of recycling, promoting sustainable practices within the parks.
• Financial Incentives: Wildlife Services benefited from the financial returns generated through recycling eligible containers, demonstrating the economic advantages of effective waste management.