Bin audits help waste education

The Shire of Collie is conducting random bin audits during May and June to help residents better understand correct recycling procedures with the aim of reducing waste sent to landfill and informing future decision making.

Staff will conduct a simple visual assessment of the contents of randomly selected bins prior to collection over a six-week period.

Director of Technical Services Brett Lowcock said the bin audit process was not invasive.

“Staff will be glancing into each bin to check for items that have been placed in the wrong bin.

“Bins that have been checked will be tagged with a happy face, indicating correct recycling, or a sad face to indicate some level of contamination present.

“Simple information will be provided to the resident to assist them to improve their recycling efforts.

“No fines will be issued as part of the process.”

Shire of Collie Chief Executive Officer David Blurton said it was important for residents to understand correct recycling procedures.

“Minimising contamination in each bin helps to reduce processing costs and ensures the least amount of waste is ending up in landfill,” Mr Blurton said.

“It is part of ongoing education on minimising waste for the Collie community.”

This project has been funded by the WA Local Government Association.

Data collected will help inform future decision making, including the appropriate size of recycling and organic bins to be provided. The data will also measure the amount of understanding in the community on what waste can and can’t be recycled.

“As individuals, we all need to be aware of our consumption and the waste that it generates,” Shire President Sarah Stanley said.

“Most of us know about the environmental benefits of recycling, but there are also economic benefits to good waste management.

“When these services are not used correctly, it increases the overall costs that must be passed onto ratepayers.

“There are simple things that each of us can do in our daily lives that can have a big impact collectively,” Cr Stanley said. “It’s as simple as remembering to use a reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic, or putting our waste in the right bins.”

“Council will continue to look for ways to improve our waste management,” Cr Stanley said.

For more information about waste management and recycling, visit the Shire’s website or phone 9734 9000.