SPIES may search rubbish for secrets but what lurks in wheelie bins will not be wasted during the Bin Tagging Education Program to improve recycling and send less to tips starting in Cottesloe this week.
“It’s a great opportunity for residents to understand what they can recycle and how they can recycle, compared to what they may think they may be doing,” program participant Agi Gedeon said.
The program will involve identifiable council staff having quick peeks in the tops of randomly selected bins across the town for several weeks.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWThey will leave tags, with or without smiley faces, to indicate if the bin has the correct contents, and also tell residents how to better recycle and create less waste.
“For instance, I know that having filled plastic bags in the recycling bin doesn’t allow them to get it out and sort it at the recycling centre,” Mrs Gedeon said.
In 2017, a council audit found that while residents understood how to use green waste bins, recycling and general waste had contamination.
“This program directly addresses this and reminds residents about what can and can’t go in each bin, which assists in reducing waste going to landfill, increases recycling and helps reduce processing costs,” Cottesloe Mayor Phil Angers said.
Incorrect contents of bins will not be fined in the program, which has already been conducted by Cockburn, Joondalup, Kwinana, Cambridge and Mosman Park councils.
Mr Angers said results from those programs showed recycling increased and continued correctly a year later.
Cottesloe’s bin checkers will wear a high-visibility vests and carry identification during their kerbside duties on bin days.
More information at www.cottesloe.wa.gov.au.
MORE: International Women’s Day: seven women who are sharing responsibility to #PressforProgress
