Quayclean champions waste reduction on World Environment Day

With the world recognising today as World Environment Day, leading Australian-owned cleaning and presentation company, Quayclean Australia, has called on venue operators and business owners to increase recycling rates.

This year’s World Environment Day theme is “Beat Air Pollution” and Quayclean says air quality can be significantly improved if the rates of waste going to landfill can be lowered.

Quayclean Chief Executive, Mark Piwkowski, said the wider community must take ownership of the amount of air pollution produced on a daily basis.

Currently, nine out of 10 people across the world breathe polluted air creating a myriad of alarming health conditions which ultimately requires significant investment by governments towards additional health costs.

Piwkowski advised “in Australia, our population has increased by 30% in 20 years, but waste volumes have increased by 170%. We must reduce the volume of waste generated in addition to achieving high levels of recycling in our bid to improve air quality.

“To the average Australian, air pollution is generally represented by spiralling visual emissions from factories, the choking smell of carbon monoxide from cars and trucks, and the household burning of pungent fossil fuels.

“But what is not widely seen is how open waste burning and organic waste in landfills release harmful dioxides, furans, methane and black carbon into the atmosphere, and it is here where Quayclean is playing a leading community role to support the reduction of toxic emissions."

Quayclean clients include the Sydney Opera House, the SCG, Fox Studios, Adelaide Oval, Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, the Gabba in Brisbane and Cbus Stadium on the Gold Coast, plus racecourses in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Quayclean currently collect over 2,200 tonnes of food and organic matter, turning this into waste-to-energy every year. These facilities process food waste to produce green energy electricity and nutrient-rich-by-product fertilisers.

Piwkowski added “this is a 100% recycling rate for organic matter and an average 70% recycling rate across all waste streams, which is 12% higher than the national average recycling rate of 58%.

“South Australia (78%), Victoria (68%) and NSW (59%) are the only states where recycling rates are higher than the national average, therefore communities and business in other states and territories have opportunities to introduce measures to increase the national average.

“Collectively, there is much more to be done to boost recycling rates and Quayclean constantly challenges itself and its customers with new ways to drive up recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

“Apart from the obvious environmental advantages of reducing the amount of waste going to landfill, there are great savings to be made with effective waste separation.”

Piwkowski highlighted some quick immediate wins that can help the environment and reduce air pollution such as:

• Single Use Plastic - Reduce use and say no to plastic straws. Bring your own bag when shopping and remember your own food containers
• Recycling - Check for the recycling logo and separate your recyclable waste
• Food waste - Try composting at home. Over 5 million tonnes of food ends up as landfill in Australia annually and is a huge contributor to air pollution
• Paper towels - Many paper towels are not recyclable. Check if they are and always use reusable towels at home
• Plastic dry cleaning bags (plastic) – Put clothes in a suit bag and have them returned in the same single use bag.
• Coffee Cups - Purchase a reusable coffee cup and remember it every day (place it with your car or house keys)

Piwkowski concluded “individually and collectively we are responsible for our increase in waste volumes and high levels of air pollution. The solution lies with all of us and Quayclean will continue to lead the charge across our customer network."

To contact Quayclean, click here to view their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.