Do you really know how to recycle?

This week we are talking rubbish and encouraging residents to do the same in support of Planet Ark's National Recycling Week, Monday 12 to Sunday 18 November.

The theme of this year's event, From Waste War to Recycling Reboot, aims to resolve confusion surrounding what you can and can’t recycle and dissolve common myths around what happens to our recycling once it goes in our bins.

Bayside residents receive a fortnightly recycling service, a weekly waste service and an optional fortnightly green waste service.

65% of Bayside’s annual garbage waste sent to landfill could be composted or recycled.

The most common recycling mistake people make, is to throw soft plastics, such as plastic bags and bread bags, into the kerbside recycling bin.

Other common mistakes include throwing food scraps and organics in the kerbside recycling bin, which makes paper mushy and clogs up machinery.

As of July 1 2019, Bayside residents will be able to put their food scraps and leftovers in their garden waste bin with the roll out of our new Food Organics/Garden Organics service (FOGO). 

Tips to getting your recycling right:

Place items loosely in your recycling bin. Do not put items in plastic bags If you can scrunch plastic, it can’t go in your recycling bin. Soft plastics can be recycled at Council’s Corporate Centre, Beaumaris Library and local supermarkets It’s okay to leave the lid on plastics, but take lids off glass jars and throw them in separately There’s no need to rinse recyclables – just remove contents and scraps Avoid food waste – use a list when shopping and freeze leftovers Did you know you can recycle empty aerosols, plastic trays, aluminium foil/trays, plastic meat and biscuit trays

For more information on what can and can’t go in your bins, view here: https://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/what-can-go-your-bins

Or visit Planet Ark's website to find out about National Recycling Week initiatives.