In a first for Western Australia, the City of Melville has began a new trial to test whether using a 50 per cent larger yellow top recycling bin can increase recycling. Launched in December 2010, the City of Melville is the first to trial 360 litre recycling bins in Western Australia and only the second council in Australia.
Some 630 households in Council’s suburb of Winthrop were identified for the 16 week Bigger is Better trial, and have received a 360 litre recycling bin in place of their current bin.
As well as the households selected to participate in the trial, 60 additional 360 litre bins will be placed around various Council amenities, such as libraries, recreation centres, parks and playgrounds for the community to view and offer additional feedback.
Residents have been encouraged to use the larger bins when out and about, as well as increase their recycling at home this Christmas.
Mayor Russell Aubrey said the trial would run from December 2010 to March 2011 and the whole community is encouraged to have their say.
“The main aims of the bigger recycling bin trial are to reduce landfill waste, increase recycling, change the way people dispose of household waste, and manage waste removal in a cost effective manner,” he said. “Each week, measurements of the general waste bins and the larger recycling bins will be recorded to monitor the percentage of landfill versus recyclable waste.
“The City will contact the participants during and after the trial to find out their experience of the new bins and whether they had an influence on their recycling behaviour.”
After the trial, regular yellow top bins will be returned to participants in exchange for the larger bins.
Those items suitable for the yellow top bins include aluminium cans, ceramic, cardboard, foam, clean meat trays, milk bottles and glass. The green top bins are suitable for food scraps, weeds and small prunings, cooking oil, contaminated meat trays, manure/animal droppings, cotton buds and bandaids.
For further information visit www.melvillecity.com.au/betterrecycling
