Get creative and recycle this National Recycling Week

Published on 22 October 2026

National Recycling Week is back from 9 – 15 November 2026, and the City of Whittlesea is encouraging residents to get involved and discover new ways to reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle.

Led by Planet Ark, National Recycling Week celebrates the positive impact recycling can have on our environment and economy, while encouraging more sustainable waste habits.

To mark the week, the City of Whittlesea is hosting free events where residents can repair, recycle, repurpose and give new life to items that might otherwise end up in landfill.

The Great Global Mend

Saturday 7 November 2026, 1.30pm–3.30pm
Thomastown Library, 52 Main Street, Thomastown

Give your favourite clothes a new lease on life. Bring along an item that needs repairing and learn how to mend it with help from experienced menders. No sewing experience is required.

For more information and to register, visit The Great Global Mend.

Clothing and textiles recycling event

Wednesday 18 November 2026, 11am–1pm
Carpark at Whittlesea Showgrounds, 30 Yea Road, Whittlesea

Clean out your wardrobe and linen cupboard, bring your damaged, ripped, stained and unusable clothing and textile items to this recycling event.

No registrations required. For more information, visit Textiles recycling collection.

Homemade holidays

Thursday 19 November 2026, 10am–12pm
Whittlesea Community Activity Centre, 57–61 Laurel Street, Whittlesea

Get creative and make beautiful decorations using natural and sustainable materials. Suitable for all skill levels.

For more information and to register, visit Homemade holidays.

Circular Fashion Market

Sunday 22 November 2026, 10am–2pm
Civic Centre carpark, 25 Ferres Boulevard, South Morang

Browse pre-loved clothing, vintage finds, accessories and kids’ wear from local stallholders, and find something unique while helping keep clothing out of landfill.

For more information, visit Circular Fashion Market.

Simple ways to reduce waste and recycle right

National Recycling Week is a great opportunity to look at the small changes we can make every day to reduce waste and recycle right.

• Reuse and repair items before replacing them.
• Donate good-quality clothing and household items so they can have a second life.
• Use your bins correctly and check Council’s A–Z guide to waste and recycling or the Which Bin? app if you’re unsure where an item belongs.
• Recycle glass correctly by placing empty glass bottles and jars in your purple-lidded glass recycling bin. Glass can be recycled again and again without losing its quality, helping keep valuable materials out of landfill and supporting a more circular economy.
• Reduce food waste by planning meals and using leftovers creatively. Place food scraps in your green-lidded food and garden waste bin, where they can be recycled into high-quality compost for local parks, gardens, schools and community spaces.
• Choose reusable options instead of single-use products. Through Council’s Zero waste rebates program, you may be eligible for a rebate on the purchase of items such as reusable nappies, reusable sanitary products, shopping carts, composting bins and composting tools.
• Think before you throw – ask whether an item can be reused, repaired, donated or recycled.
• Think before making a purchase – consider whether you really need the item. For clothing, check its material labels/wash tag and choose durable, sustainable options where possible. Think about what will happen to the item at the end of its life and whether it can be reused, repaired or recycled.