A handy guide to keeping waste down

Your kerbside bin collections are continuing as normal as part of the essential services being delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

FOGO, general waste and recycling collections remain a priority and will continue, along with the green waste verge collection that is scheduled to begin on 28 April.

We are also looking at how we can enable residents to continue to drop off recyclables as an alternative to the Fremantle Recycling Centre, which has had to close due to social distancing regulations.

But with more time at home, you might notice your FOGO, general waste and recycling bins are filling up faster than normal. 

We spoke to our Waste Education Officer Conor Macgill (pictured) for some handy tips on keeping your waste down.

Upcycle your waste

Wash out empty glass jars and reuse them to store items in your pantry, home or shed. You can also get creative and reuse cardboard boxes or packaging like egg cartons for craft activities to keep your kids busy and their minds active!

BYO containers

A number of local grocers encourage you to shop with reusable containers to reduce waste from packaging, such as The Store House and Kakulas Sister. Check out the grocers still open around town thanks to this helpful list from Visit Fremantle. Don’t forget your reusable containers and fresh produce bags!

Use drop-off points

Save room in your general waste bin by collecting soft plastics to drop off at a REDCycle collection point, such as plastics bags, plastic packaging wrap, bread bags, frozen vegie bags, chip packets and mesh produce bags. There are collection points at Woolworths in South Fremantle and Coles in Fremantle or visit REDCycle to find your closest drop-off point.

Reduce and reuse

Planning out your meals for the week can help you buy only what you need. If you do find yourself with leftover items in the fridge or pantry, check out Foodwise Recipe Finder for some ideas on how to use them up before they go off. 

Go plastic free

Challenge yourself to buy food with little or no plastic packaging next time you do your food shopping, such as loose fruit and veggies. Can you cook a dinner using products with no plastic packaging? See how you go!

Be a good sort

Make sure you know which item belongs in what bin. For example tissues, paper towel, shredded paper and oily pizza boxes should go in your FOGO bin for composting as these can’t be recycled. The scrunch test is a great way to know whether a plastic is recyclable or not. If you can scrunch it, like gladwrap or plastic bags, place it in your general waste bin or drop them off at a REDcycle point. Meanwhile hard plastics that can’t easily be scrunched, like plastic bottles or fruit punnets, should go in the recycling bin. If in doubt, check out this handy guide from Recycle Right.

A choice of two

There are some items like excess paper and cardboard that can go in either your recycling or FOGO bin which can help you free up space in a bin that is quickly filling up. Just remember to remove any tape, stickers or plastic from the cardboard before placing it into your FOGO bin.

Garden gurus

If you’re getting into the garden while at home lately, be careful not to overfill your FOGO bin for the weekly collection. Allowing your lawn clippings and garden cuttings to dry out before going in the bin can help keep the weight down as overfull bins might not be collected. Make sure to save large branches, tree trunks and shrub prunings for the upcoming green waste verge collection which kicks off on 28 April for Area A and 4 May for Area B. Find out what area you fall under by using our Find my Bin Day app.