Replicating nature's nutrient cycle by creating closed loops for the recycling and reuse of those man made (technical) elements of our consumption delivers efficiency and protects the environment.

We have concentrated, extracted and combined raw natural elements into new and unique elements such as plastics, aluminium, mercury, acids, and so on. Recently we have realised that to use these resources efficiently and avoid them spoiling the environment we need to create closed loops that allow us to move these technical materials from one use to another in the same way nature cycles nutrients, water, or energy throughout its ecosystems. In this manner we need to see one person's technical "waste" as the feedstock for another's technical process and product.

Recycling plastics, paper, metal, and glass are all steps in this direction. The end point is that all man made products and materials are able to be recycled and reused.

How to do it now!

Purchase recycled products - To complete the recycling loop we need to purchase recycled products. (See Purchase recycled goods)

Recycle all that you can - Most councils offer curbside recycle bins for the following products (check with you local council for the exact products recycled):

• paper, cardboard, milk and juice cartons

• glass bottles and jars

• aluminum cans and foil, steel cans

• PET plastic soft drink bottles and fruit juice bottles (Code 1 - PET)

• Plastic milk, cream and juice bottles (Code 2 - HDPE)  

Use specialist recyclers of technical waste where available - Most states have directories of specialist recyclers that will take everything from your old paint and oil to your printer cartridges.

• National Oil Recycling locations

• Victoria - Sustainability Victoria offers a directory of recycling services  in Victoria covering most technical products we use in the house.

• New South Wales - Household Chemical CleanOut and Livingthing.net.au

• South Australia - Zero Waste

Why is this action important?

In order to reduce the strain our ongoing consumption is putting on the environment, we need to use less and use it many times (ideally, perpetually). Creating closed loops by recycling all that we can moves us in this direction.