FOR the second summer running, Wollongong City Council will trial recycling bins in public spaces at Stanwell Park, Austinmer and Thirroul beaches.
This year Council will improve signage, with contamination from waste that can’t be recycled a lesson learnt from last summer.
“Last year was our first attempt at rolling out this program and we’ve learnt a lot from the experience,” Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said
“This contamination included coffee cups half-full of liquid, plastic wrappers and heavily food-soiled containers and cups. These items should instead go into the red-lidded general waste bins.
“It’s important that we get this right as a community as a cardboard container filled with food can contaminate a whole bin full of recycling. If the waste collected in our public recycling bins is too contaminated it must go to landfill and we lose an incredible opportunity to divert waste and recycle it.”
Cr Bradbery said improvements to signage to identify recycling bins and general waste bins had been made for this year. He also encouraged people not to use public bins to dump their household waste as it can be considered illegal dumping and fines can apply.
“Just like before, we’re limiting the pilot project to a small number of selected locations so that we can work through any teething problems as they arise and get it right,’’ he said.
In the north, recycling bins are being trialled at Austinmer Beach, Thirroul Beach Reserve and Stanwell Park Reserve.
Wollongong City Council general manager, Greg Doyle said staff will be working hard over the summer period to keep the coastline free of litter and public toilets clean and tidy.
Mr Doyle said over the next few months, Council will be emptying bins more frequently during peak periods, and have scheduled additional servicing of public toilets as well as litter collections. He said that it would be “all hands-on-deck” to keep the city, and in particular the foreshore areas, “looking great”.
“There’s a lot of invisible work that goes on to ensure that our parks, beaches, and foreshore is beautiful and tidy during the busy summer period. We’re expecting an increase in the number of residents and visitors enjoying our city, and that of course, means more waste,” Mr Doyle said.
“We’ll do our very best to keep our city looking fantastic so that you can relax and enjoy the holiday period. But to do this we will need your support. Please put your recyclables and waste in the right bins and if you can’t find one a few steps away or if a bin is full, hold onto your rubbish until you can responsibly dispose of it.
“We’re proud of our city and we want to share this pride with our community and visitors to the region. Please help us by doing your bit and keeping our parks, beaches and pools clean and tidy for the next person to enjoy.”
Of you notice a problem with a bin or rubbish in a public space, you can report an issue online via Council’s report an issue page.
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