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As we prepare for the new year ahead, we take a look back at the activities, highlights and achievements of 2014.
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 January: Environment Minister Hon. Albert Jacob MLA announces $7.5 million in funding to implement the Better Practice Kerbside Collection Guidelines, which focus on two and three bin collection systems.
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 February: The new bale storage shed for the Materials Recovery Facility was completed and provided more capacity to store baled recyclables.
March: The SMRC launched its new-look corporate website.
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 April: The Regional Resource Recovery Centre (RRRC) had some special guests tour the facilities, including Minister for Local Government Hon. Troy Simpson and the Mayor and officers from Kuching City North in Malaysia.
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May: Chua Chu Primary School came all the way from Singapore to learn about recycling at the RRRC.
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 June: Recycle Right visited Phoenix Shopping Centre to encourage recycling as part of World Environment Day.
Photo: Tour Guides Anna Sondalini and Claire Dunn at the Phoenix Shopping Centre
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 July: Our community was encouraged to eliminate single-use plastics such as bags, water bottles, containers and straws as part of Plastic Free July.
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 August: City of Fremantle approved a two-year car sharing trial.
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September: Recycle Right took part in the Greenfingers Garden at the Perth Royal Show and provided the garden’s compost from the SMRC. Recycle Right also featured at the Waste and Recycle Conference Trade Exhibition.
Photo: The Greenfingers Garden at Perth Royal Show
City of Cockburn held a fantastic program of events as part of Sustainable September.
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 October: The second Garage Sale Trail took place and our community seized the opportunity to de-clutter their homes and bag a bargain.
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November: Recycle Right took part in Scitech Discovery Centre’s Sustainability Week and encouraged children to avoid waste and recycle.
Photo: Tour Guide Anna Sondalini at Scitech
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FAST FACTS: TOILET PAPER
 An average person uses 8.6 sheets of toilet paper per use – that’s more than 20,000 sheets each year.- Every minute 200 trees are chopped and pulped for toilet paper around the world
- With our current rate of deforestation, 50,000 species of trees become extinct each year
- Every tonne of toilet paper made with recycled materials saves 400kg of greenhouse gases
- Toilet paper pulled from the top rather than under saves a few squares per use
How you can help:
- Only buy 100% recycled toilet paper
- Use only what you need
- Advertising with puppies, kids and catchy jingles is cute, but with a few small changes you can make a big difference.
Source: www.wipeitout.org
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PLASTIC FREE FESTIVAL
Did you know that each year enough plastic is thrown away to circle the earth four times? We use plastic all day, every day, from our computer keyboard, to plastic containers, to the washing basket. While plastics are recyclable, we have a significant way to go to reduce our use of plastic products and their impact on the environment.
Next month the City of Fremantle and Town of Cottesloe will hold a two day Plastic Free Festival. The festival, on 16 and 17 January 2015, offers free activities and workshops to encourage people to minimise their use of plastics.
As part of the festival, events will include a seminar by Dr Jennifer Lavers on seabirds and plastic pollution, the official launch of the Responsible Cafés initiative and a One Planet Fremantle photography exhibition. The SMRC will participate in the event with Recycle Right activities and information for children and adults.
For more information on the Plastic Free Festival, visit fremantle.wa.gov.au/One_Planet/Plasticfree
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GREEN WASTE – BRING IT TO US!
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The SMRC can process the Green Waste from your garden.
Clean Green Waste can be delivered direct to the Regional Resource Recovery Centre, 350 Bannister Road, Canning Vale, WA, 6155
100% of the Green Waste is recovered, with no residual waste going to landfill.
The RRRC is open 7 days a week, 8.00am to 4.00pm (except Christmas Day and New Years Day)
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Please call 9256 9555 with any queries.
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JOIN US FOR A TOUR
 The Regional Resource Recovery Centre (RRRC) in Canning Vale is one of the few operational facilities in Perth where you can find out how your waste is recovered. Our Recycle Right Tour Guides provide individuals, schools and community groups with an insightful walk around the Waste Composting Facility, Audit, Green Waste Facilities and conservation area, before finishing in our state-of-the-art Materials Recovery Facility Education Centre. The tour takes 1.5 to 2 hours.
Please call Anna on 9256 9555 or email tours@smrc.com.au for further information or to book your tour.
Photo: Anna Sondalini
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COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP
If you would like to join the CAG or learn more about what they do please contact them on the details below.
Please email smrccag@gmail.com or write to them at
SMRC Community Advisory Group,
PO Box 1501, Booragoon WA 6154
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Make it easy for your guests to recycle by having two clearly labelled bins – one for recycling and another for general waste.
Minimise food waste by buying only what you need, avoid overeating and use leftovers. 
Think carefully about your gifts. Do they generate waste like batteries? Is the gift likely to be durable and lasting? To avoid waste altogether, you could support a local charity, or give an experience or gift voucher.
Use paper wrapping instead of plastic or foil and save it for next year.
Separate your paper, plastic and polystyrene packaging and place loosely in the yellow-topped bin. Flatten boxes. 
Tinsel must not be placed in the yellow-topped bin as it may get caught in the recycling machinery and break it.
Christmas lights bump up your power bill and drain natural resources – so reduce your lighting display, use LED lights and turn lights off at bedtime.
Give the gift of knowledge – download the free Recycle Right App onto your family members’ smart phones via the App Store or Google Play Store.
