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Minimise Your Impact

In a delicate and precious ecosystem like Rottnest Island, the mark you leave behind becomes your legacy.
Hiking the Gabbi Karniny Bidi
Hiking the Gabbi Karniny Bidi

Play your part to reduce the ecological footprint of the island

All of the conservation efforts on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island don’t mean much without the help of everyone who sets foot on the island. With just a few mindful actions, we can all help to protect the island's natural beauty and ensure its sustainability for generations to come. 

Here's how you can minimise your impact:

Save water and electricity

If you’re staying overnight, save energy by turning off all lights and appliances when you head out of your accommodation. Take quick showers and be mindful of water use in the kitchen and the bathroom. 

Reuse and recycle 

Help reduce plastic waste on the island by taking a reusable water bottle with you and a reusable coffee cup. Put your rubbish in the right bin and recycle what you can. You can also take part in the Containers for Change program on the island.

Respect the flora and fauna

When you experience the island by foot, bike or bus, there are ways you can respect the island and its unique natural environment. Don’t touch or feed the quokkas (or other wildlife), leave the island’s flora where you found it, get approval from the Rottnest Island Authority if you want to bring any flora over from the mainland, and contact the rangers prior to arrival should you need to bring a guide, assistance, or companion animal for medical reasons. 

 

Make a Conscious Choice to Leave No Trace
Spending time on Rottnest Island means being aware of the land that was here before you and the place that will be here after you depart. Taking some time to pause and think about the trace you leave behind can make all the difference.
Quokka Drinking
Quokka
Eating in the settlement mall

What happens to your waste on Rottnest?

With a lot of visitors comes a lot of rubbish. To manage this responsibly, it's important to sort general waste and recyclables correctly, so it can be processed the right way. This starts with the right bin: red lid for general waste and yellow lid for recyclables.

Waste from across the island is collected daily, kept separate, compacted and sent to the mainland. General waste goes to landfill, while recyclables are processed at a Recycling Materials Recovery Facility.

Aerial of Boats at Rottnest Island
Boats in Longreach Bay

Reducing the island's waste footprint

Waste management is vital to sustainability. And in a delicate and precious ecosystem like Rottnest Island, every action you take contributes to reducing the island’s overall waste footprint.

Here’s how you can help:

  • Take your waste home with you when possible.
  • If you do throw rubbish in the bins on the island, check the signs and use the correct bin.
  • Don’t add rubbish to overflowing bins.
  • If you’re coming to the island in your own boat, make sure that the contents of your boat are secure from wind and local birds.
  • When at sea, ensure items like used boat batteries, appliances, and furniture are taken back with you.

Containers for Change

Rottnest Island has multiple container collection points on the island in support of this important initiative to reduce litter and improve container recovery rates.

Here’s how you can be involved, and find out more about where the change from your containers goes:  

  • Drop off your loose containers at our public donation point, located at the R.I.G.C Clubhouse and we’ll do the rest. Your change will go to the Rottnest Foundation.
  • Or, bag your containers, label the bag with your own Containers for Change ID, and take it to one of our Drop & Go refund points located at Geordie Cafe and Pedal & Flipper Hire. The change from your containers will then go back to you.
    Learn more about Containers for Change

    More about sustainability