We here at Pyrmont Village spoke to the Buy Recycled Business Alliance (BRBA) recently and were really impressed with what they are doing to support sustainability. They provided us with some information so we could share this with you. If you are keen to find out more about recycling and where you can source recycled products, then check this out.

Do you ever wonder what happens to the things you recycle on a regular basis? The plastic containers, aluminium cans, paper and cardboard you place in recycling bins at home or at work? Or the mobile phones and computers you send to specialist recyclers?

Materials from these items are recycled into new and innovative products ranging from indoor and outdoor furniture, office products and stationery, hardware, jewellery, packaging and more. Buying these products is a simple way to support the recycling systems and companies who process materials into new products, whilst reducing your environmental impact. Recycled materials often require less energy, water and new resources in their manufacture, so are a great way to contribute to a more sustainable world.

The BRBA is a non-profit alliance of organisations committed to promoting and buying recycled products to increase the markets for recycled materials. BRBA members range from small to large businesses, governments and associations, with major corporate members and sponsors including Amcor Australasia, Australian Paper, Corporate Express, Fosters Group, Fuji Xerox, McDonald’s and Visy.

The BRBA vision is to increase the use of recycled products that will contribute to sustainability through economic, social and environmental benefits for the Australian community. The BRBA aims to:

• Facilitate the increased purchase and use of recycled products by Australian businesses
• Increase the understanding of the availability, quality and value of recycled products; and
• Improve Australia’s recycling system through greater demand for collected recyclable materials

To assist purchasers with sourcing recycled products, the BRBA has launched its online Recycled Product Directory. The Directory is the first national “one stop shop” containing detailed information on recycled products that are available in Australia, and was developed with funding support from state and federal governments. It currently contains over 400 products sold by BRBA member companies and is now being further developed to encompass the full range of recycled products available in Australia. The Directory includes products that are reused, remanufactured or which contain pre-consumer, post-consumer or reutilised content material.

The Directory is free to use and will grow to show a wide array of products in 18 product categories. Listing recycled products in the Directory means companies can:

• Reach a wide audience of purchasers from households, businesses, federal, state and local government, schools, universities and non-government organisations, both inside and outside Australia; and
• Provide detailed information on their recycled products to enable purchasers to make informed choices about the products they buy.

To view the Recycled Product Directory, find out more about listing products or the work of the BRBA, visit www.brba.com.au or contact Lena Geraghty, BRBA Executive Director on 02 9211 6199.