Imagine yourself taking a stroll along the beautiful streets of Sydney Harbor. It is a slightly warm 26-degree weather day (79 degrees for all the American’s out there) and there is a soft breeze rolling in. You will hear birds chirping and a deep bellowing tune coming from the didgeridoo of the bosking Aborigine. The water is glistening and the streets are strangely clean. Wait, a city with clean streets, is there such a place? Sydney is that place. From the little time I have spent here I have noticed that almost everybody in Australia recycles. Even on the streets of a busy intersection you will find two bins (or trashcans), one for rubbish and one for plastics, cans, and cardboard. After a little research I found that 12 million tons of solid waste is generated yearly by New South Wales alone. The kicker to this statistic is the fact that 51% of that waste was recycled. In fact, 95% of all Australian households recycle (http://www.benefits-of-recycling.com/recyclingstatistics.html)! America on the other hand, lies at the complete opposite end of the spectrum. The idea of recycling is often over looked by many American’s and it is sad to say that the United States only recycles 32% of its waste today, Australia definitely outshines us there, literally.
Australia doesn’t believe in wasting anything. I have noticed, on many different occasions, this notion put into practice. When it comes to eating, not a scrap of food goes to waste. My host parents are extremely talented cooks, and their food tastes amazing. I have no problem indulging after a long exhausting day of hiking to the bus stops, but my family likes to pile my plate with food! The mountain of food is enough to feed a six foot tall man, and certainly enough to max out the stomach of a five foot, four inch girl. I am very grateful for the delicious dinner, as is everyone at the table. I watch my Australian family lick their plate clean, nothing, absolutely nothing is on their plates after dinner. This isn’t because they are starving but rather this “waste less” mentality.
Sydney even has entire restaurants completely devoted to providing and maintaining an economic environment. The Greenhouse Restaurant, uses nothing but organic food and recycled utensils. The owner, Joost, sates “I have designed the restaurant in reverse. I’ve started at the end and worked back. My dream has always been to build a restaurant that creates no waste and now I believe I can achieve it!” (http://greenhousebyjoost.com/eat-2/a-waste-free-restaurant/) Joost believes in using returnable crates that get his food to his restaurant. He takes all the excess food to a JoraForm vessel composter and is transported to the roof top garden, where all the waste remains organic. Everything from paint, to pipes, to t-shirts, to wooden plates, is made from recycled material. This is an incredible accomplishment in my opinion. The Greenhouse is hopping with creative food and a fun, friendly atmosphere. It is the perfect dinner destination for many after a long exhausting day of work. Joost has a successful business that Aussies adore. Delicious and environmentally friendly, what else can you ask for?
Australia has really opened my eyes to the success that can come from recycling. If everyone does a small little part, our society and world would be a much cleaner, and enjoyable place. Recycling is certainly NOT a waste.
Kristin Minshall
Greenville College
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