Recycling
♻️ Recycling Tips
A few simple habits can make a big difference:
- Keep plastic bags out of recycling bins
- Rinse food containers before recycling
- Flatten cardboard boxes
- When unsure, check before you throw
See #RecycleRight brochure for a detailed list of items that can and can not go into recycle bins.
Help Keep Recycling Clean and Effective
Recycling only works when the right items go in the right bin.
Contaminated recycling bins can result in entire loads of recyclable material being sent to landfill instead of being processed and reused. By sorting waste correctly, residents and businesses can help reduce landfill, protect the environment, and support a more efficient and cost-effective recycling service across the Shire.
Council’s Contaminated Recycling Bin Policy provides guidance on how contaminated recycling bins are managed and outlines the steps taken when repeated contamination occurs.
What is Recycling Bin Contamination?
Contamination occurs when incorrect items are placed in a yellow-lid recycling bin.
Examples of common contaminants include:
- Plastic bags and soft plastics
- General household rubbish
- Food waste
- Nappies
- Green waste
- Clothing, blankets and carpets
- Polystyrene
- Batteries and e-waste
- Chemicals, oils and hazardous waste
- Sharps or medical waste
These items can damage recycling equipment, create safety risks for workers, and reduce the quality of recyclable materials.
What CAN Go in Your Yellow Recycling Bin?
Accepted recyclable items include:
- Paper and cardboard
- Glass bottles and jars
- Aluminium and steel cans
- Plastic bottles and containers
Please ensure recyclables are:
- Empty and loose
- Clean and dry where possible
- Not placed inside plastic bags
See #RecycleRight brochure for a detailed list of items that can and can not go into recycle bins.
Bin Inspections and Contamination Process
Council may conduct random recycling bin inspections to help identify contamination issues and support community education. Council waste collection trucks are also fitted with video surveilance cameras for monitoring the contents of waste bins.
Where contamination is identified, Council may place a warning or education sticker on the bin outlining the issue.
Repeated contamination of household yellow recycling bins may result in escalating action including removal of the residents yellow recycling bin for a period of six months. A new bin fee applies to reissuing of the recycle bin after this period.
Actions for ongoing contamination may include:
- Written notification advising residents of contamination issues and issuing a formal ‘warning’ (maximum 3 warnings)
- Refusal to collect the recycling bin where contamination continues
- Residents being required to remove contamination before the next scheduled collection
- In some cases, disposal of contaminated waste at a Waste Transfer Station at the resident’s expense
- Removal of the recycling bin for a period of time.
This process is intended to support residents in recycling correctly, reduce contamination, and improve the quality of recyclable materials collected across the community. Repeated contamination may result in further action under Council’s policy.