We are working with you to reduce contamination found in yellow recycling bins.

One of the ways we are doing this is with a bin inspection program where some yellow bins are checked on collection day.

The program helps us:

• reduce contamination
• minimise the amount of waste sent to landfill
• provide households with tailored education and support
• increase safety (ensuring hazardous materials stay out of recycling).

We understand that recycling and waste sorting can be tricky sometimes. With so many different types of items and materials going into our bins, we don’t always get it right. This program aims to help everyone learn about what belongs in our yellow bins — and what should be kept out — so we know for next time.

What’s involved?

Our Waste education officer have selected areas to be surveyed based on contaminated bin reports.

Each household’s recycling bin in that area will be checked on collection day and they will receive feedback through green, orange or red bin tag. The tag will be looped around the handle of the bin.

We will lift the bin lid and look at the contents of the bin to see if there is any contamination (incorrect items).

Remember you can't put these items in your recycling bin:

• bagged items
• garden waste
• metals (like frypans and screws)
• polystyrene foam
• soft plastics (like chip wrappers)
• other plastics (like buckets)
• general rubbish
• hazardous items
• sanitary items
• crockery
• food
• timber
• clothes and shoes
• e-waste

Why do we want to reduce bin contamination?

Contamination is any item that doesn’t belong in the yellow recycling bin. Putting contaminated items in the recycling bin could mean that all the items in the bin, including the recyclable items, will be sent to landfill. Some contaminated items can put staff at risk of injury, or cause damage to equipment.

Instead of putting these contaminated items in the recycling bin, find out where you can put them in our A to Z of waste disposal list. 

Using recycling bins correctly helps make sure that we can sort recyclable items and turn them into new products.

My bin had a red tag, what should I do?

If your bin has a red tag there were incorrect items in your bin. The incorrect items will be highlighted on the red tag. Please remove these items before your next scheduled collection day.

If you would like one of our waste team to contact you (within 48 business hours), please complete our contact request form.

Related resources

If you are not sure what is or isn’t accepted in your kerbside bins, read more about what goes in which bin.