The benefits of recycling are very well know and are standard practice in numerous towns around the world. One of the biggest factors limiting recycling in Alice Springs is the tyranny of distance, compounded by fluctuating world commodity prices. The Alice Springs Town Council has been awarded a NT Government grant to establish a glass recycling facility in Alice Springs. Glass from Alice Springs will be crushed and recycled locally from this facility.

The Alice Springs Town Council is moving forward in its recycling efforts. It has recently introduced its own container deposit scheme, whereby residents can exchange their drinking bottles (aluminium and glass) for a 5c deposit refund per drinking can/bottle. This scheme will assist reduction litter in Alice Springs and have some environmental benefits.

In 2011 the Carbon Production Reduction Scheme (CPRS) will be implemented by the Australian Government and a greenhouse gas emission levy will be applicable to all landfills. Many Alice Springs residents are already reducing the amount of waste going to the landfill by composting therefore reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted by the Alice Springs landfill. By reducing the amount of organic waste to the landfill residents will be reducing the greenhouse gas emission contribution.

The waste and recycling directory below provides information on recycling for the Municipality of Alice Springs. Using any of these services will reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Please contact services and producers for fees and expenses (Alice Springs Landfill Fees and Charges).