Most families across the Shire of Manjimup are trying to recycle well, and it shows.
Shire President Paul Omodei said “Together, our households are collecting about 36 tonnes of recycling each month to be sorted and used in the manufacture of new products. That’s good work, and it makes a difference.”
Up to a quarter of what we collect is contaminated: items and materials that don’t belong in our kerbside yellow-top recycle bins or the transfer station recycle drop-off bulk bins.
In the Shire of Manjimup, yellow-top bins and transfer station recycling drop-offs just want to see your plastic bottles and containers (no lids), glass bottles and jars, steel, tin or aluminium cans and paper (not shredded, and not tissues) and cardboard (flattened). Nothing else!
Cr Omodei urged householders to “spare a thought for the humans working to sort out your material! Food and drink left in your bottles, cans and jars gets pretty smelly after a couple of weeks, so empty, clean and dry is best.”
Never bag your recyclables – only put single, loose items into the recycling.
Soft, scrunchable plastic bags could get used again (and again) at home; otherwise they have to go into the standard waste bin, unfortunately the REDcycle service previously available through Coles and Woolworths has been temporarily paused.
Of course, there are other household items you can recycle, but not through your yellow-top bin or the transfer station recycle drop-off bulk bin.
“Take your eligible drink containers to Containers for Change for your refund or donate your bottles and cans to a local school or club. There are millions of refund dollars to be made in our Shire alone. It all adds up!” said Cr Omodei.
Never put nappies, garden waste, old clothes, or coffee cups in the recycling.
Batteries should never be put in any bin; they could start a fire inside the collection truck. Smaller handheld batteries can go straight to free battery recycling drop-offs you’ll find in some retail outlets and at Shire libraries, offices and the depot. Larger lead acid batteries can be recycled for free at all our waste facilities.
For recycling in general, or for information on how to recycle specific items, try www.recycleright.wa.gov.au or contact the Shire of Manjimup Waste Management Officer on 97717777 or at info@manjimup.wa.gov.au
“We have to try not to overfeed our landfill,” said Cr Omodei. “We can recycle a huge range of household items, but we need to do it right. It doesn’t all go into the yellow-top bin.”
-ENDS-
Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer
Contact Sheri Laba, Public Relations Officer
Contact for comment: Paul Omodei, Shire President
Contact: 0448 810 773
