Help stop contamination of recycling and garden waste bins

Published on 13 June 2018

Did you know that putting the wrong items in your recycling or garden bin can send the entire truckload to landfill?

Council is reminding residents to be vigilant in putting the right items into household bins in order to ensure there is low or no contamination of loads.

Council’s new waste and recycling contractor Four Seasons Waste has trucks equipped with latest camera technology, so drivers can monitor bins as they are emptied and spot potential contamination.

Recently non-recyclable waste items including nappies and plastic bags have been found in both recycling and garden waste bins.

Mayor, Cr Jennifer Anderson said while most residents did the right thing, even a small number of contaminated bins could jeopardise the shire’s recycling efforts.

“If you put rubbish into your recycling or garden bin, you can contaminate the entire load and destroy everyone's recycling efforts,’ Cr Anderson said.

“Our community is generally well-informed about recycling and incidents of contamination have typically been very low.

“If we can ensure that all residents are placing materials in the correct bins, this will enable us to continue to divert as much waste as we can from landfill.”

Residents are reminded that only garden waste in the form of lawn clippings, flowers, small twigs and branches and non-noxious weeds can be placed in their garden bin (light green lid).

Nappies, plastic bags and other non-recyclable general waste items are to be placed in the garbage bin (red or dark green lid).

Unsure of what items can go in your recycling and green waste bins?

Take a look at our handy guide - the A-Z Waste Index for information on what goes where or  visit the Loddon Mallee Waste and Resource Recovery Group for further information.