Recycling contamination far higher than expected
Moreland’s kerbside recycling bins have recorded higher than expected contamination rates, as Council’s recycling inspection program enters its third week.
Nearly 1,000 kerbside recycling bins were inspected over the first two weeks, with an alarming 28% of bins presented for collection containing contamination.
A concerned Deputy Mayor Kathleen Matthews-Ward said: “Council’s inspection program is not about fining or punishing residents, but rather helping educate the Moreland community about how to recycle right.
“This high level of contamination is alarming. Recycling is important to a cleaner, greener future for Moreland and as Council we will be working hard to help educate our residents and improve our recycling practices.
“Our bin inspection program is the first step in this process.”
"At home I just have a cardboard box in the cupboard under the sink. I tip it into the recycling bin when it gets full. It doesn't get too messy especially if you empty containers properly. You could also leave a newspaper at the bottom to soak up any spills," the Deputy Mayor said.
Council’s inspection program will run from September to December across all suburbs of Moreland. During this period, Council will issue a notice to all bins that are mildly contaminated (containing less than three non-recyclable items).
Households with badly contaminated bins (containing hazardous items, rubbish, plastic bags, recyclables in plastic bags or more than three non-recyclable items) will be issued with a notice and will not have their bins collected. These residents will need to remove the contaminants before arranging an alternative collection date.
All residents with contaminated items in their bins will be issued a sticker explaining what shouldn’t have been included as recycling.
Moreland City Council Officers are legally entitled to inspect kerbside recycling bins.
The two-week process has found plastics to be high on the list of contaminants. “We’ve noticed that many plastics that aren’t recyclable are being placed in the recycling bin,” the Deputy Mayor said.
Council now accepts all RIGID plastic bottles and containers with codes 1 – 7 printed on them. This does not include any plastic that is non-rigid for example, plastic wrap, plastic packets and plastic bags.
As the Deputy Mayor explained: “A handy way to remember, is if you can scrunch it up in your hand, it can’t go in the recycling bin.”
“Having a Plastic Identification Code (PIC) printed on an item does not mean the item is recyclable in the kerbside recycling collection service. This code is just a way to identify what type of plastic the item is made from,” she said.
“Plastic items that can be recycled include amongst many other things - ice cream containers, soft drink and fruit juice bottles, margarine tubs, yoghurt pots, take away food containers and shampoo bottles.”
“Council urges all residents to check their waste calendars if they are not sure if an item can be placed in the recycling bin,” the Deputy Mayor said.
Council’s kerbside recycling program will run until December this year. For more information visit moreland.vic.gov.au or phone Council.
