More than 10 per cent of recycling in the City of Swan is contaminated.
Camera IconMore than 10 per cent of recycling in the City of Swan is contaminated. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

City of Swan residents contaminating recycling bin with dirty nappies

Sarah BrookesMidland Kalamunda Reporter

DIRTY nappies are among the tonnes of items being incorrectly placed in recycling bins, prompting one local government to urge residents to take charge of their recycling ahead of National Recycling Week.

Swan Deputy Mayor Kevin Bailey said 10 to 12 per cent of recycling was contaminated, well above the statewide target for recycling contamination of less than five per cent.

Mr Bailey called on residents to focus on eliminating four of the most common recycling ‘bin sins’ by making a few simple changes.

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“Bagging your recycling waste is one of the worst things to do, as bagged recyclable items become contaminated and have to go to landfill,” he said.

“Simply keep plastic bags out of the bin, and instead place your recyclable items loosely and separately in the recycling bin.

“We also urge you to rinse your jars, bottles and containers before placing them in your bin, as food and liquid contaminate all material types and can contaminate an entire truck-load of recyclable waste.

“It’s also really important to separate lids from your empty containers and bottles and place them in your rubbish bin, as they are too small to be processed through our recycling facility.

“Finally, we ask you to please bag and place nappies into your rubbish bin; they contain human waste and should never go into your recycling bin.

“These very simple changes can help us all collectively reduce our recycling contamination rates, and therefore reduce the amount of waste we are sending to landfill.”

National Recycling Week, a Planet Ark initiative, will run from November 12 to 18.

-The City of Swan will host a free Recycling Week event at its Bullsbrook recycling centre on November 15 from 9am to 1pm. Presentations will include:

Good Samaritan Industries on second-hand clothing, Total green Recycling on E-waste recycling, AAA Metals on metal recycling and Wren oil on oil recycling. Book on 9267 9267 or book at swan.wa.gov.au/events

-To tour Cleanaway’s material recovery facility in South Guildford on November 12, from 9am to 10am, call 9267 9267.

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