Keeping materials out of landfill by recycling or re-using them can save water and energy, and reduce carbon emissions.

Activities such as the Friday File Fling and Schools’ Litterless Lunch Challenge headline a list of initiatives Esperance individuals and groups can participate in.

“Truckloads of high quality office paper is currently stored away in filing cabinets of Australian workplaces, never to be used again,” Planet Ark spokesperson Rebecca Gilling said.

“The Friday File Fling encourages workplaces to set aside time on November 13 to de-clutter their filing cabinets and give unused paper another life, either by placing it in their recycling bin or re-using single-sided paper to make an office notepad.”

The Litterless Lunch Challenge will see local schools having a lunch with no litter.

This can be achieved by using reusable lunch boxes and water bottles, or using recyclable packaging.

“In past years, several schools have achieved zero waste during lunch,” Shire of Esperance recycling promotions officer Georgia Ryan said.

“This is a great effort and requires a lot of coordination between the school staff, students and parents.

“The schools’ challenge is good training for litter free lunches every day of the year.”

In addition to these initiatives, mobile phones will be able to be recycled at Esperance Communications, the shire office and Australia Post.

Printer cartridges will also be able to be recycled at Australia Post.

To win one of 20 green starter packs, or for more information, visit http://recyclingweek.planetark.or g