News
Melbourne’s iconic trams testing the recycling knowledge of locals
By Rachael Ridley 16 September 2021
Planet Ark's Recycling Near You program was lucky enough to be selected for the Yarra Trams Community Partnerships Program, giving us the opportunity to spotlight the platform on Melbourne's iconic trams and invite locals to rethink recycling. The program is part of Yarra Trams’ commitment to increasing the environmental, social, and economic contributions that Melbourne’s tram network makes to the city.
Planet Ark worked with the creative minds at M&C Saatchi on the eye-catching design to show Melburnians just how many everyday items can be recycled. The artwork, which wraps around the entire tram, features characters sitting on seats and holding onto guard rails, as if they were passengers on the tram. The characters are holding onto a number of items ranging from electronics and soft plastics to paint and coffee capsules, all of which can be recycled through specialised recycling services.
The Yarra Trams Community Partnerships Program provides in-kind advertising annually to community organisations helping to create a more sustainable Melbourne. Recycling Near You was selected as a grant recipient for the program for its role in educating Australians on how to reduce waste to landfill and recycle right.
The online platform is Australia’s first and most comprehensive database of recycling and reuse information for households, helping almost 1.8 million users find reuse and recycling information each year. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the platform provides users with up-to-date recycling information relevant to their specific location, including a directory of recycling options for items that can’t be recycled in one’s household recycling bin such as electronics, mattresses and white goods.
As well as being the largest and one of the oldest tram systems in the world, Melbourne’s trams are also an environmentally responsible way to travel. The electricity used to power the trams is offset with carbon credits from two Victorian solar farms under the Victorian Government Solar Trams Initiative.
The Recycling Near You artwork on Yarra Trams will run until the end of the year. Check it out if you get the opportunity and let us know what you think!
Rachael manages the Business Recycling and Recycling Near You websites. Rachael joined Planet Ark in early 2019 after eight years working in media and publishing as a producer, editor and writer. Rachael loves using her skills in content creation and communication to instigate positive environmental behaviour change. Outside of work, Rachael enjoys spending time in nature, listening to music and patting dogs.
