By Emily Silverstone
The Port Douglas and Daintree region is home to some of the most beautiful habitats in the world, including the World Heritage Listed Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier reef.
These environments play a vital role in supporting the local wildlife and maintaining the delicate ecological balance.
With the increasing impact of climate change, habitat loss, and pollution, it is our collective responsibility to protect and preserve this precious environment for future generations.
We can all take steps to reduce our carbon footprint, support sustainable tourism practices, and promote conservation efforts, and help ensure that Port Douglas remains a vibrant and thriving ecosystem for years to come.
Let’s work together to protect our natural heritage and safeguard the biodiversity that makes our planet so extraordinary.
Your Accommodation
When travelling, it is important to consider the impact we have on the environment, and waste disposal is an important part of that. Different places in the world and in Australia have different rules and procedures for waste disposal, so it is important to be informed before your trip.
Whether you are staying in a resort or private residence, your Port Douglas holiday accommodation usually has its own waste management systems and will provide you with information on how to dispose of your waste. It is important to follow their guidelines and separate your waste accordingly. This might mean separating recyclables, food waste, and general waste.
It is also important to be mindful of the waste you produce while enjoying your holiday in Port Douglas and try to reduce it where possible. For example, bringing a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic bottles, or using reusable shopping bags instead of single-use plastic bags.
General Waste Bins
Here in The Douglas Shire bins with a red lid are for general waste. Food scraps, nappies, meat packaging, disposable coffee cups and other waste should all be placed in the red-lid wheely bins.
Recycling Bins
In the Douglas Shire yellow lid bins are for recycling. Plastic bottles such as laundry detergent, toiletries, milk, soft drink, and cleaning products can all be placed into the recycling bin. Takeaway containers, pizza boxes, ice cream tubs and yoghurt pots are also recyclable, but please give them a rough clean before disposing.
Cardboard, egg cartons, cereal boxes, newspapers and magazines and packaging can also go straight in. Please remove bottle tops and lids from containers before disposing it in the recycling bin.
The general rule is recyclable items should be over the size of a credit card, smaller than that means that they are considered waste.
Contaminated bins may not be collected, and the whole load can end up in landfill.
If in doubt leave it out!
Unfortunately, soft plastics and plastic bags are unable to be recycled in Port Douglas at this stage. Fly-away plastic often ends up as ocean debris affecting turtles and other marine life, this is one of the major environmental issues Worldwide.
A recent study reported by Great Barrier Reef Legacy shows that the Great Barrier Reef and Far North Queensland are relatively low in microplastics per square metre compared to other states. Let’s keep it that way!
You can help by disposing of your waste correctly even when you’re on holiday.
Recycling Programs
Some amazing local businesses make an effort to help reduce waste by offering recycling programs.
For instance, the Port Douglas Post Office now offers a coffee-pod recycling program that allows customers to dispose of their used coffee pods in an environmentally friendly way. Batteries, ink cartridges AND re-usable, quality bubble-wrap can now all be taken to the post office.
Similarly, the local IGA supermarket and Coles have a battery recycling program that allows customers to dispose of their used batteries in a safe and responsible manner.
Most aluminium, glass, plastic, steel, and liquid paperboard drink containers are eligible for a refund. 10c is given for each eligible container. Bottle tops and lids should be removed prior and can be recycled separately. Containers for Change is open daily from 9am in Mossman for drop-offs, or save yourself the drive and drop them off at our shop in our Containers for Change bin.
Simple things you can do
Do you want to reduce your environmental impact while visiting Port Douglas? One easy way is to bring your own reusable cups and bags!
Disposable coffee cups cannot be recycled and take years to decompose due to their waxy coating. Remember to bring your trusty keep-cup when visiting coffee shops, and it’s also a great accessory to carry with you on Daintree Tours and Reef trips!
We understand that holidays are a time for relaxation, fun and indulgence. However, this indulgence can often lead to overbuying and unnecessary waste.
Reduce your food waste at the end of your holiday by separating non-perishable items and donating them to those in need. You can make a difference by simply leaving these items aside for housekeeping staff or local community groups to collect.
Here at The Daintree Shop we take our own measures to dispose of waste correctly and recycle efficiently. Drop your unwanted tour brochures off at our shop and check out our innovative ways of reducing waste.
Still in doubt? Pop in and see us at The Daintree Shop between 10am – 6pm daily.
Take away memories and leave nothing but footprints behind.
