Recycle Right to keep it coming ‘round

Published on 12 July 2019

Goulburn Mulwaree residents are being encouraged to Recycle Right and update their recycling habits.

The new regional Recycle Right campaign launched yesterday by the Canberra Region Joint Organisation and its member councils is designed to clear up any confusion and lead to better recycling practices.

The campaign involves new social media videos and other campaign material that aim to better inform residents about common issues that can compromise the quality of the material disposed of in the recycling bin.

In the wake of changes in the global recycling industry it aims to simplify recycling messages, highlight recent changes and support the Australian Government’s call for movement towards a circular economy.

Mayor Bob Kirk wants the community to understand why it’s so important not to contaminate their recycling bins.

“Recyclable material may be sent to landfill if it is too heavily contaminated. This is because it is harder to sell in domestic and international markets and can create serious safety issues for staff at Endeavour Industries.

“In order to ensure the material in our yellow bins continues to be recycled, we are asking that people keep it simple and clean.”

The campaign is asking people to follow the six Recycle Right messages below:

• Keep it simple: Only recycle paper and cardboard, steel and aluminium cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and containers.

• Keep out soft plastics: This includes all plastic bags, even if they have a recycling symbol, are degradable or compostable, and other soft plastics including cling wrap, chip packets and bread bags.
• Keep out small items: Any items smaller than a credit card. All plastic lids now need to be removed from bottles and those smaller than a credit card put in your landfill bin.
• Keep it safe: Keep out strapping, hose, netting, wires, building materials and other hazardous materials.
• Keep it clean: Wipe or rinse any excess food and drink from all bottles, containers and tins before placing them in your recycling bin. Keep out food scraps, nappies and soiled paper.
• Keep it loose: Put each item into your yellow recycling bin separately, don’t bag, box or contain your recyclable items.

The campaign has been supported by the NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded from the waste levy.

If you would like further information on waste and recycling visit www.goulburn.nsw.gov.au or contact the Waste Info Line on (02) 4823 4417.