Lockyer Valley Regional Council is calling on residents to jump on board the recycling bandwagon and renew their commitment to doing the right thing when it comes to where to place their rubbish.
Lockyer Valley Regional Council Waste Portfolio Councillor Julie Reck said with landfill space continuing to decline, it is the simple habits that can have the most impact.
“We’re noticing a few recurring issues, such as residents bagging their recyclables.
“Other common mistakes include discarding bagged general waste, non-recyclable plastics, nappies and food scraps in the recycling bin.
“Recyclables should always be taken out of bags before being placed in the bin.
“Non-recyclable plastics, like soft plastics, must not go in the recycling bin—they belong in the red bin or in the collection bins some supermarkets provide.
“Let’s work together to reduce waste, build a sustainable environment and protect the future of the region.
“As with so many things, the environmental cost of waste only continues to increase and, as a Council, we’re putting it to households and businesses to sort their waste correctly.
“We understand people are time poor, but it’s so important to take advantage of the recycling services we have available in the region,” she said.
Other tips include:
• While paper towels might look recyclable, the fibres used to make them are too short to be turned into new paper products. That means they belong in the red bin (general waste). However, if your paper towels are free from oils, fats, or chemicals, you can toss them into your home compost instead!
• Takeaway coffee cups are always a contentious item when it comes to recycling, and while you can recycle the lids, the cardboard cups are a no because of the waterproof plastic lining. A great option is to use reusable travel coffee cups to reduce waste.
“Every item we choose to recycle correctly reduces the overall costs to manage waste and means we all win in the long run,” Cr Reck said.
