Redlands Coast residents are urged to become better recyclers, especially when it comes to plastic, in the lead-up to National Recycling Week from 7-13 November 2022.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said non-recyclable plastics were the largest contributor locally to contamination within kerbside recycling bins.
“Contamination rates in recycling bins across the city have almost doubled over the past six years, from 6.9 per cent in 2015 to 11.3 per cent in 2021,” she said.
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“Council is committed to reducing waste contamination and aims to halve it by 2030 with the help of our residents.
“An audit in February this year showed non-recyclable plastic was the largest contributor to contamination within kerbside recycling bins, followed by non-recyclable paper, garden waste and non-recyclable metal.
“Knowing what items can be recycled can sometimes be confusing, especially with the wide range of plastic packaging and products available, and it’s important to realise that not all plastic can be recycled.
“If in any doubt on what items can be recycled, go to the Recycling on Redlands Coast page on Council’s website or download the free Recycle Mate app.”
Recyclable plastic includes milk bottles (lids on), drinking bottles, clean meat trays with no film, biscuit and cracker trays, laundry liquid bottles, shampoo bottles and fruit punnet trays.
The top 10 non-recyclable plastics include:
- plastic bags/wrapping (including bread bags, cereal liners, pea bags),
- plastic film,
- polystyrene,
- toys,
- Tupperware-like containers,
- laundry baskets,
- coat hangers,
- CD/DVD cases,
- plastic strapping, and
- bagged recycling and waste.
Cr Williams said National Recycling Week provided the ideal opportunity for everyone to review their recycling habits.
“The key message this year is ‘Waste isn’t waste until it’s wasted’,” she said.
“It’s not about recycling more, but about recycling better.
“I’d also encourage everyone to consider the items they purchase to avoid excess packaging and reduce and reuse wherever possible.”
More information on waste and recycling is available on Council’s website.
