WMRC's Word on Waste
A monthly newsletter lifting the lid on waste and recycling in the western suburbs.
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Welcome to the April edition of the Word on Waste!
Never a dull moment in the world of waste! April has brought with it a flurry of activity - a new partnership, bin-tagging results, an upcoming facility tour and more.
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Lifting the lid on bin-tagging
Bin-tagging in the Towns of Mosman Park and Claremont is in its final week, and the results show that most people are sorting / getting better at sorting their waste. The results also identify gaps in residents' understanding of what waste goes where and assist us to tailor communications accordingly.
Overall, there is a reduction in Garden Organics (GO) and Recycling bin contamination. Most common contaminants include soft plastics and bagged waste in recycling bins and food waste in Garden Organics (GO) bins.
Want to be a GREAT sort?
- Keep soft plastic bags and packaging out of your recycling bin and drop them in REDcycle bins located outside outside Coles and Woolies supermarkets. Soft plastics collected through this scheme are recycled into many different plastic products, including these. Not sure what soft plastics are accepted? Check out REDcycle's FAQ's.
- GO not FO - lime-green lidded bins in the western suburbs are for garden organics (GO) only, not food organics (FO). FO contaminate greenwaste and reduces what is recycled. Put your food waste into your general waste bin (red lid) or compost the plant-based scraps.
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Wising up to waste at school
Kids at Cottesloe Primary School were the first to trial some new GREAT Sort inspired educational games and activities as part of the WMRC's revised School Waste Activity Day. The resources, developed in conjunction with Recycle Right, help kids learn how to avoid, reduce and put waste in the right place through a round-robin of fun, interactive activities.
Feedback from Yr 6 kids on the day included:
"Gifting is really important because there might be other people out there who need the things you don't want."
"I learnt about what goes in what bin".
"I learnt that earth-cycling is a good thing. You're basically giving things that you borrowed from the earth back to to it".
WMRC's School Waste Program is available to primary and secondary schools in our member and participating councils areas. Find out more and register on our website.
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1st May is 'Fix It' Day
Not one, but two locations on the same day to help you 'fix instead of ditch' those broken items.
Morning:
10.30am - 12.30pm - Town of Cambridge
Afternoon:
1.00pm - 4.00pm -Claremont Showgrounds Men's Shed
Repair Lab is a community initiative to help people fix their belongings and save things going to landfill. Skilled volunteers can help fix clothing, bikes, furniture, jewellery, battery-operated electronics and general household items.
All welcome! Gold coin donation appreciated.
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Our sellout tour is back - 12 May
Where does waste go when it leaves your kerb? The 2.5 hour Recycling Facility Tour will answer these questions and more as you get to see first hand where your waste goes, how it is sorted and baled, how organic waste is commercially processed and why reducing and sorting your waste matters.
When: Wednesday 12 May 10.00am - 12.30pm
Where: SMRC Regional Resource Recovery Centre, 350 Bannister Rd, Canning Vale
Cost: $5 + booking fee
Bookings essential as places are limited. Closed-in shoes essential. Find out more here.
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Old bike, new life!
Old bikes destined for scrap metal are now being collected by the West Metro Recycling Centre for Dismantle - a local not-for profit organisation using old bikes to teach at-risk youth new life skills.
Salvaged bikes are dismantled and reassembled by participants in Dismantle’s BikeRescue mentorship program, helping troubled youth reach their potential. Old bikes can be dropped off 7 days a week at the West Metro Recycling Centre. Visit Dismantle to find out more about their community outreach or call 0468 777 258.
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What's a GO and a no-GO in your Garden Organics bin?
Did you know that in the western suburbs, your lime-green lidded bin is for Garden Organics (GO) only? It is not a FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) bin, so you cannot put food scraps in it.
Please only put lawn clippings and garden vegetation in your lime-green lidded bin. No food waste, no bagged waste, no cardboard, nothing else!
Food waste needs to go in your general waste bin (the one with the red lid), or better still, your compost bin if it's plant-based.
Bagged waste and plastic bags need to go in you general waste bin too. If the plastic bags are clean and dry, REDcycle them.
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A revamped Volunteer Program
Waste Watchers has launched a brand new Volunteer Program! There are now lots of new and exciting ways for you to help us help residents manage their waste wisely, be it in schools, events, skill sharing or recycling. Visit our website and register for a position that interests you.
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