Recycling trial in apartment buildings 2022

recycling bins

Background

Over the last few years we’ve been working with caretakers of apartment buildings to assist in improving the management of the waste services in place. This work has seen improvement in the way bins are presented, cleanliness of bin rooms and improved communication between caretakers and Council.

Contamination (when incorrect items are placed in the bin) of yellow lid recycling bins is a concern across the Campbelltown LGA. Our waste audit completed in June 2020 showed that contamination in our apartment complexes (multi-unit dwellings) was around 22%.

Currently, apartment blocks make up 22% of the housing stock within the Campbelltown Local Government Area, and this is increasing as development progresses to accommodate our increasing population.

What we are doing

  • We will be trialling some educational items over the next few months that aim to improve recycling.
  • We have selected 4 high rise complexes and a villa style complex to undertake the trial.
  • Each complex will have signage added to the bin storage areas, stickers placed on each individual bin and each unit will receive their own reusable recycling bag to store their recyclables between visits to the bin.
  • We will monitor the bins over a 6 month period to see if there is any change in the contents of recycling bins.
  • During the 6 month trial project, we will be seeking feedback and any ideas that we could use to help shape our decisions for how this program is rolled out across Campbelltown.

Why we are doing this?

Recyclable material is a valuable resource as it can be made into something new again. Putting the wrong items in the yellow lid bin can contaminate good materials, meaning some of our recycling efforts will be sent to landfill.

Government and industry are working to create a more circular economy in Australia. A circular economy aims to use products for as long and as much as possible, and change the way that products are developed and made to minimise waste generation and environmental impacts. Collecting correct and clean recyclables is an important part of the circular economy system.

What we want to achieve

  • Support caretakers and residents to improve recycling within their building
  • Reduce the amount of incorrect items being placed in the yellow lid recycling bins to increase recovery of recyclable materials at our apartment complexes
  • Use the results to adopt and modify (where required) across the LGA for all multi-unit dwellings

Related Information

Back to top