Independent audit points to improvement in recycling contamination rates

Independent audit points to improvement in recycling contamination rates

02 July 2018

CONTAMINATION rates in yellow top recycle bins are showing signs of improvement according to an independent audit of bins conducted between June 11 and 22 2018.

Highlights of the audit include:

Average contamination rate citywide of 24.58 per centIndividual load contamination rates have ranged from seven per cent up to 53 per centThe recyclate is made up of 47.32 per cent paper and cardboard, 13 per cent glass and 11.09 per cent plastic

Works, Parks and Sport Committee acting chairperson Cr David Morrison said recycling operations resumed from May 22 under a new 12-month contract council signed with Visy Recycling.

“This audit is a positive sign Ipswich residents are responding to our new Recycle 4 message,” he said.

“Residents are keen to do the right thing by reducing recycling contamination.

“The data we have now enables us to focus in on specific issues for specific runs and highlights the need for an on-going public education campaign with the aim of reducing contamination to 15 per cent or less.”

Council kicked off its Recycle 4 campaign in May, targeting four specific categories of recycling for residents to put in their yellow top bin for the fortnightly kerbside collection. They are:

Paper – newspaper, magazines, junk mail, office paperPlastic – bottles and containers (milk, soft drink and shampoo bottles; yoghurt and ice-cream tubs)Cardboard – boxes including pizza boxesCans & Tins – aluminium and steel (drink cans, food tins and aerosol cans)

He encouraged residents to sign up to the Ipswich Bin App https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/residents/waste/ipswich-bin-app or visit the Ipswich City Council web page for more detailed information on recycling.

New yellow top bin stickers with the Recycle 4 message are due to be rolled out on 78,000 bins starting in approximately three weeks.

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