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Reset Recycling!

There has been an important change to the type of plastic that we can accept in the kerbside recycling. Due to changes in overseas recycling markets and upcoming international regulations, we are now only able to accept plastic grades 1, 2 and 5. That means that mixed plastic grades 3, 4, 6 and 7 will now have to go in your rubbish bin. Fortunately these plastics make up only a small fraction of our kerbside recycling stream.

Grade 1 plastics are typically soft drink, water and juice bottles. Grade 2 plastics are mostly milk bottles and sometimes household cleaners. Grade 5 plastics are often used for margarine, spreads like honey and jam, and large yogurt containers.

What can you do?

  • Check the plastic grade on the container before you put it in the bin.
  • Make sure all recyclables are rinsed clean. Especially items such as milk bottles.Image of recycling reset flyer
  • Put all soft plastics such as bags, films or wrappers into your rubbish bin. Soft plastics are a big problem at the recycling plant as they contaminate the paper and cardboard streams.
  • Consider a "no junk mail / circulars" sticker on your letterbox. Junk mail makes up 50% of the mixed paper that comes through the kerbside recycling.
  • Look at the products you buy. If the product does not come in plastic packaging grades 1, 2 or 5, contact the company that manufactures then and ask them to consider an alternative. Consumer power is very influential.

About the Kerbside Recycling Service

Recycling is collected fortnightly in 240 litre yellow lid wheelie bins and is a compulsory charge for households on the collection route. Householders who do not live on the collection route but would like to participate in the recycling collection can opt to order two black recycling crates which can be transported to a collection point.

There is a 60kg weight restriction on the bin. If your bin is too heavy it may be tagged by the contractor with a note informing you Image of Recycling Binwhy it was not emptied.

To request a yellow-top recycling wheelie bin contact the Council's Helpline or use our Bin Request Form.

Where to place your binHow to use your bin
  • Put your bin on the footpath, grass verge or berm closest to where the collection vehicle passes. Please do not place bins on the road.
  • The bin should be clear of trees and other obstructions.
  • Place the bin facing the road. The arrows on the lid indicate the correct placement.
  • Allow half a metre between adjacent bins and/or obstructions.
  • Make sure you don't overfill your bin - the lid must be closed for collection.
  • Extra items placed next to or on top of the bin will not be collected (except for official Council rubbish bags placed next to the bin).
  • Put your bins out at kerbside by 6.30am on collection day, and bring them back in the same day.
  • Only place clean, loose (not bagged) recycling in your bin. Bagged recycling is treated as refuse by the machinery that sorts the recycling.