Among the many hopes parents have for their children is that the planet remains a safe and enjoyable place for them as they grow. Planet Ark goes a long way to ensuring this will be the case with its recycling initiatives. Its messages are diligently and tirelessly put out there, so the least we could do is to heed and follow the organisation’s directives with equal diligence. The prime opportunity is coming up. November 12-18 is National Recycling Week and there are a number of ways you can get involved at home, at school or in the workplace.

We all do our best to recycle what we can of household waste, but there’s so much more hanging around our homes that could find a new lease of life. Enter the Big Aussie Swap, a fun and free way to help the environment. Organise or locate a swap and take along quality items you no longer want – anything from toys to tools. Exchange each for a token, then swap the token for items brought by others – easy! Giving preloved goods another life is one way of saving resources and reducing carbon emissions. The kids’ toys are refreshed and you haven’t spent a cent. It’s a win, win.

Visit www.recyclingweek.planetark.org to find details of your nearest Big Aussie Swap or how to host your own.