Do You Really Know Which Bin To Use?

Published on 16 May 2024

A recent survey across Australia by one of the largest waste companies found that there is still some confusion about which bin some items should go into. Part of the confusion is around the changes to different types of products that we now use (and we did not previously).

Some of these items include:

Compostable Coffee Cups:

Now common place since the removal of single use plastic and polystyrene cups. Unfortunately, they have to go into the general waste bin as they cannot be composted in most council bin systems.

Vapes:

A relatively new product but a dangerous one – not just for health reasons but as e-waste (they contain a lithium battery they cannot go into your general waste bin. The batteries should be removed and dropped into one of the designated battery drop of locations around the shire.

Old Clothing:

While we certainly encourage the recycling of secondhand clothing via op-shops or clothes swaps, not all old clothing can be worn again.  It cannot go into the mixed recycling bin. Old clothing or other textiles can only go into the general waste bin.

Dead Animals:

It may just be some dark humour but dead pets cannot be disposed of in recycling. In Yarriambiack, we do have a designated area at the Warracknabeal Transfer Station for dead animals.

Light Globes:

Like vapes cannot go into the general waste bin as they are e-waste. E-waste can be dropped off at transfer stations in Warracknabeal, Hopetoun and Murtoa.

Soft Plastic:

While there are efforts being made to reintroduce a recycling system for soft plastics through the major supermarkets, they cannot go into the mixed recycling bin at this stage. They must go into general waste.

If you are not sure, contact the Waste & Sustainability Coordinator, La Vergne Lehmann.