Jamie’s Message for National Recycling Week: Why Your Choices Matter

National Recycling Week (10–16 November) and National Recycling Day (15 November) are a great reminder of why recycling matters, not just for the environment, but for the people who make it happen every day.

One of those people is Jamie Stubbs, a supported employee at IMPACT Community Services’ Material Recovery Facility (MRF).

This week, Jamie has a message for Bundaberg recyclers: “Look after your environment and the workers at the MRF.”

Jamie is part of the sorting team that processes recyclable materials from Bundaberg’s yellow-top bins.

“We get heaps of loads during the day and sort all the rubbish,” Jamie explains.

“Trucks come in, empty the bins, and we sort it all out to get the stuff we need. We put stuff in the press and push it up into bales, and when we’ve got enough, we can sell it.”

Jamie has worked at the MRF for over ten years, doing many different jobs and thriving in his role.

IMPACT employs around 30 supported employees to sort recyclable products like PET plastics, tin cans, and aluminium cans.

But Jamie says there are some things that should never end up in recycling bins.

“People might not know that the recycled stuff is hand-sorted, so we see needles, nappies, plastic bags, and food scraps,” he says.

“The food is messy, but the needles can hurt us. Stop putting those things in the recycling bin!"

The MRF is owned by Bundaberg Regional Council and managed by IMPACT Community Services, ensuring that local recycling efforts create jobs and support people with disabilities.

This National Recycling Week, remember:

• Check what goes in your yellow-top bin
• Keep it clean and safe
• Support recycling – it makes a difference for the planet and for people like Jamie.

For more info, check out the Recycle Mate app or check out Bundaberg Regional Council’s recycling guide here.