Perth Waste south branch manager Dean Wells with the |different types of plastics that the facility can recycle.
Camera IconPerth Waste south branch manager Dean Wells with the |different types of plastics that the facility can recycle. Credit: Supplied/Jon Bassett

Town to increase plastics recycling

Jon BassettWestern Suburbs Weekly

"The best way to maximise plastics recovery is to have loose, clean items in the yellow recycling bins and shopping bags can't be full of anything, even other shopping bags," Perth Waste south branch manager Dean Wells said.

At their meeting last month, councillors decided Perth Waste would take the plastics that make up shopping, bread and other types of plastic bags, picnic knives and forks, foam cups and trays at an annual cost of $15,000 to the council, or $3.92 for each household in the Town.

Plastics already recycled by the Town include soft drink, milk, detergent and cordial bottles.

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Ice-cream and takeaway containers were also among the 1205 tonnes of waste collected from residents and recycled in the 12 months until last May.

A staff report said the addition of the three new types of plastics means 133 tonnes could be diverted from landfill each year.

The State Government will increase landfill levies from $55/tonne this year to $70/tonne in 2018.

Mr Wells said a newly installed component at Perth Waste's Bibra Lake recycling facility and a $6 million investment in the site two years ago meant it could accept the three types of plastics.

Cottesloe Council is the only western suburbs council that does not recycle all seven types of plastics.