Introducing LoopedIn Councils – Formerly Impact Apps.
Every year, on the second week of November, National Recycling Week shines a spotlight on how Australians recycle — and how much better we could all do.
Established by Planet Ark in 1996, National Recycling Week has become one of Australia’s longest-running sustainability campaigns. It’s all about helping Australians recycle right — promoting the waste hierarchy of reduce, reuse, recycle to protect our finite resources. Each year, councils and residents across the country take part through education campaigns, community events, and local recycling initiatives.
For councils, National Recycling Week is a valuable opportunity to educate residents, raise awareness of local recycling programs, and spark lasting behaviour change. But the impact shouldn’t end once the week is over. The most successful councils are extending their efforts beyond the campaign, using digital tools to keep residents informed, engaged, and recycling right all year round.
Every year, councils put in significant effort to create recycling education campaigns for National Recycling Week — from community events and school programs to social media posts, flyers, and local media coverage.
But even the strongest campaigns can struggle to make an impact if residents don’t see or act on the message. Reaching every household — and helping those messages resonate — takes time, consistency, and the right communication tools.
Keeping residents engaged once National Recycling Week ends is another real challenge. Traditional methods like flyers or one-off events can create a short burst of awareness, but they’re costly to repeat and difficult to measure. Without consistent follow-up, the message fades, and good recycling habits can quickly slip away.
So, how can Councils extend the impact of National Recycling Week beyond a single campaign? To make recycling education stick, councils need ways to keep the conversation going — not just during National Recycling Week, but every week of the year. That’s where digital communication makes a real difference.
With the right digital tools, councils can reach residents directly, share timely updates, and make recycling information easy to access whenever it’s needed. Features like an A–Z recycling guide help households make quick, confident decisions at the bin, while push notifications can remind residents about FOGO collections, glass services, or local recycling events.
Some councils are already using apps like LoopedIn Councils to simplify this process — reducing the need for print materials by keeping residents informed through one central, easy-to-manage platform. The result is a more connected community, stronger recycling habits, and communication that continues long after campaign week is over.
Across Australia, councils are finding creative ways to strengthen recycling education and maintain resident engagement beyond their National Recycling Week campaigns. By using digital tools to communicate clearly and consistently, they’re helping residents recycle the right way all year round.
In Victoria, Murrindindi Shire Council used digital communication to guide residents through the rollout of new FOGO and glass services. Their waste app allowed residents to check personalised collection calendars, access an A–Z recycling guide, and receive reminders about upcoming changes — all from one reliable source. Within a week of launching, one in five households had downloaded the app, and more than 1,800 people viewed the online recycling and waste calendar. This made it easier for residents to understand the new services, reducing calls to the council during a busy time of change.
Looking further north, Brisbane City Council is using its digital waste and recycling tools to make recycling education part of everyday life. Through the app, residents can check what belongs in each bin, receive collection reminders, and find local drop-off points for tricky items like batteries and e-waste. This practical, always-accessible information helps residents recycle correctly and has contributed to one of the highest engagement rates of any council waste app in Australia.
Reflecting on the success of councils like these highlights what’s possible when accessibility and clarity come first. Whether it’s through timely notifications, practical online guides, or consistent community education, digital tools are helping councils make recycling simpler and more effective. National Recycling Week then becomes the beginning of an ongoing conversation, one that keeps residents engaged long after the campaign ends.
National Recycling Week offers councils a powerful opportunity to connect with residents, highlight local recycling initiatives, and encourage positive behaviour change. Looking ahead, there are plenty of ways councils can make their next campaign creative, high-impact, and relevant. Here’s how councils across Australia are putting this into action:
Hume City Council will host its first-ever Fix-It Fair — a free community event celebrating repair, reuse, and recycling skills. Residents can learn everything from composting and seed saving to furniture repairs and eco-friendly cleaning tips. Designed to make sustainability approachable and fun, the event will help residents find practical ways to reduce waste at home.
At Maroondah City Council, recycling education will start early with a Children’s Storytime at a local library. The session will introduce 3–6 year olds to recycling through storytelling, music, and art, followed by a hands-on plastic percussion activity. It’s a creative way to spark curiosity and start good recycling habits young.
Meanwhile, City of Monash Council is making recycling education more accessible than ever. The council will host a community pop-up stall at a local shopping centre, where residents can ask questions about tricky-to-recycle items. Alongside this, a free Mandarin-language webinar will support residents who prefer to learn in their first language — helping more people across the community understand local recycling rules.
These campaigns show how varied (and effective) recycling education can be when councils tailor their approach to their community. But the key to lasting impact is what happens next. Councils can extend the value of their efforts by:
When councils continue the conversation throughout the year, National Recycling Week becomes more than a single event. It becomes the foundation for stronger recycling education and a community that’s informed, engaged, and ready to do its part.
How can councils use the LoopedIn app for recycling education?
Councils can send push notifications for recycling campaigns, share FOGO updates, and use the A–Z recycling guide to support residents daily.
Does it work beyond National Recycling Week?
Yes — the app is designed for ongoing engagement, helping residents recycle correctly every week of the year.
How can we measure impact?
LoopedIn Councils provides real engagement data, from app downloads to guide views, helping councils see how residents interact with recycling information.
Whether you’re planning new initiatives or looking for ways to keep residents engaged, digital tools can make communication clearer and more impactful.
Book a free demo to see how LoopedIn Councils can help your team simplify recycling education and reach more residents, every week of the year.