A campaign to promote the right way to recycle household products and material has been launched by the Minister for City Services, Chris Steel.
Recycle Right is designed to help reduce contamination and ensure material can be easily recycled back into other products.
Mr Steel said the campaign was important to help simplify recycling messages, highlight recent changes in recycling and support Canberrans to reduce contamination in their recycling bins.
“While Canberrans are enthusiastic about recycling, contamination is an ongoing issue at our Materials Recovery Facility in Hume, which sorts materials from the recycling bins of the whole region,” Mr Steel said.
“We are asking that people keep it simple, safe and clean.”
He said the campaign outlined six messages when using the yellow recycling bin.
Only paper and cardboard, steel and aluminium cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and containers should be placed in the bins.
“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 should not be placed in the recycling bins,” Mr Steel said.
“All plastic lids need to be removed from bottles and those smaller than a credit card put in the landfill bin.”
He said strapping, hose, netting, wires, building materials and other hazardous materials should not be placed in the bin.
“Wipe or rinse any excess food and drink from all bottles, containers and tins before placing them in the recycling bin. Keep out food scraps, nappies and soiled paper,” the Minister said.
“Put each item into the recycling bin separately, don’t bag, box or contain recyclable items.”
He invited residents to use the online Recyclopaedia to find out how to responsibly dispose of more than 250 everyday items.
Further information on the campaign can be accessed at this PS News link.
