Recycling better, but ….still a mixed bag

RECYCLING from Southern Downs households has improved, but too much recyclable material is ending up in landfill, the council says.
An audit of the region’s waste transfer stations showed that from 2011 to 2013, the
amount of recycling generated each week has increased from 2.54 kilogram to 5.21kg per household
per week.
Planning and environment director Ken Harris said while that is good news, the audit found an increase in contamination rates in the recycling, from 10.42 per cent to 15.28 per cent.
“The items with highest contamination rate include metals and bagged rubbish,” Mr Harris said.
“While the amount of total available recyclable items being placed in the recycling bin has
increased from 51.04 per cent to 57.30 per cent, this number can still see substantial improvement, as this means that 43 per cent of recyclable items are being placed in the general waste bin and end up in landfill.
“So there is room for improvement and we will begin a campaign to remind residents about
the importance of recycling and about ensuring there is minimal contamination,” he said.
“We need to remember that our actions now, though at the household level they seem small,
will mean a great deal to future generations,” Mr Harris said.
“With greater recycling comes less waste in landfill and our waste management facilities have a much longer life. This means we are reducing the cost burden into the future.
“We will work on increasing our community education and awareness strategy for waste minimisation.
“This is starting immediately and we hope to build on the recycling efforts that many households already undertake,” he said.