Mornington Peninsula Shire Council adopted the Waste Contamination Policy at its Council meeting Tuesday 2 March.
During summer, we asked our community what they thought of the Policy and what we could do to encourage everyone to take recycling seriously and put the correct items into the right bins.
Unfortunately, contamination continues to be a major issue here on the Peninsula. If we don't get our recycling right we will end up contaminating the bin or truck, making our recyclables go to landfill instead of Polytrade, Mornington Peninsula's sorting facility.
The Policy outlines steps we will take to improve Peninsula's recycling contamination rates. Bins will be randomly checked. If the household is recycling right they'll go into a monthly draw to win a $100 voucher. Contaminated bins will receive a tag letting the household know which items can't be recycled. If contamination continues, we will call, visit or send a letter to provide some helpful tips.
Significantly contaminated bins will not be emptied to prevent contaminating the truck load. Continued significant contamination will result in a fine and suspension of the recycling or green waste service.
The top seven commonly misplaced items in household recycling bins are:
- Bagged recyclables (free your items! Pop them loose in the bin)
- Household rubbish (put in general rubbish bin)
- Food waste (compost or use up your leftovers)
- Garden waste (pop it in a green waste bin, compost or take it to the tip)
- Soft, scrunchable plastics (take it to your local supermarket for recycling)
- Textiles (repurpose, donate or if it's not salvageable put it in the rubbish bin)
- Polystyrene (straight in the general rubbish bin).
All recycling bins are delivered with helpful recycling stickers. If your bin is missing this you can pick one up at our Customer Service Centres.
To learn more about the adopted Policy go to mornpen.vic.gov.au/wastepolicy
Online event: Virtual recycling tour
Learn what happens to your recycling and get the answers you need to recycle right!
Tuesday 11 May, 12:30pm – 1:45pm
Thursday 13 May, 7pm – 8:15pm
Register at mornpen.vic.gov.au/ourwastefuture
Quote attributable to the Mayor Councillor Despi O'Connor:
"A contaminated bin or truck load is not only a burden to the environment adding to landfill, but also comes at a significant cost. Contaminated bins cost the Mornington Peninsula Shire and ratepayers approximately $600,000 per year. We need your help!
"We know recycling can be confusing. The Shire's waste education program aims to encourage households to recycle correctly. Find out exactly what you can and can't pop in the bin with the blue lid at mornpen.vic.gov.au/wasteguide. And remember to rinse your food containers before binning them!
