Recycling paper, plastics, glass, aluminium, and other used materials has been going on for a number of years. The oldest recycling project in Australia is connected with the recycling of newspapers. In fact, Australia is #1 amongst the Northern European and Australian countries for our recycling of paper. While we have reached a very impressive third place standing in recycling progress, there still remain other areas where we need to catch up to our neighbouring countries.

Where Does Western Australia Sit?

Western Australia’s recycling efforts move into full swing with the passage of the Waste Avoidance and Recovery (WARR) Act of 2007. Perth’s own Backyard Bins services in the recycling of household, industrial, and commercial materials began their efforts in making our area cleaner, greener, and more environmentally sustainable years before the WARR was enacted.

Backyard Bins has been, and continues to be, fully committed to adhering to all of the local government’s rules and regulations regarding waste management. The majority of the material placed in the skip bins from Backyard Bins is separated and recycled.

The latest report from Western Australia’s Waste Authority on recycling achievements shows that our waste management has made great strides in all areas of recycling, but those improvements are still below the state’s target goals.

One example is Household Waste Recycling, currently at 38% participation amongst the qualifying population, which is 27% below the state’s goal of 65%.

To increase awareness and recycling rates, local governments are participating in better collection systems such as Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) collection bins.

How is Perth Improving Its Recycling Efforts?

Two major achievements in our waste recycling efforts are the expansion of the Better Bins Kerbside Collection (Better Bins) program to 40% of the Perth metro area and the implementation of the plastic bag ban across the entire state.

In an effort to make Western Australia a low-waste society, the Better Bins program expands the current two curbside coloured bins from yellow lids and green lids to include a new red lid bin. The yellow lidded bins remain for co-mingled recycling materials, the green lidded bins remain for organic waste, and the new red lidded bins will be for general waste.

A list of the various materials and what type of recycling system applies to the materials. Additional information regarding residential and commercial recycling programs can be found at: http://www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au/residential/recycle/, and http://www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au/commercial/recycle/.

Recyling plant in Perth

In total, Western Australians are more aware and committed to waste removal and recovery efforts. Currently, more than 60% of all waste materials are being recycled. Suppliers of soft drinks like Pepsi Cola and Coca Cola, and food products such as Nestle, are joining in the effort to improve our environment by using recycled plastic and other products in their packaging. These are all great successes, and yet, we can, and will, do more in the coming years.

What Can and Can’t be Recycled

You can and cannot recycle several things at home, depending on where you live. To help make recycling as easy as possible, we have created a list of the most common recycle in yellow bins at home,

Things You Can Recycle in Yellow Bins

Many people are unaware of the number of different recyclable materials that can be recycled or how to recycle them. Here are things you can recycle in yellow bins at home:

  • Glass Bottles and Jars
  • Paper products include paper egg cartons, junk mail, magazines, catalogues, envelopes, any paper from takeaway coffee shops, and straws.
  • Steel cans
  • Plastic bottles, containers, and jugs.
  • Aluminium Cans
  • >Bi-Metal Food Cans
  • Tins
  • Nappies (Diapers)
  • Tin Foil
  • Glass Jars

Things You Can Recycle at REDcycle Facilities in Perth

Most councils have a special recycling program called Recycle that allows people to collect other reusable items rather than send them to landfills. This is available at most council depots and transfer stations; however, you will need to check with your local council whether it is available in your area.

  • Textiles such as clothing and shoes, handbags, belts, and leather goods
  • Computers including laptops and tablets
  • Fridges and freezers
  • Televisions
  • Phones
  • Electronic entertainment consoles, games or consoles with games, e.g., video game consoles, Wii, Xbox.
  • Hard drives

Things You Can Recycle at a Community Recycling Centre in Perth

Several community recycling centres around Perth allow you to recycle various items; however, some items may cost a fee to recycle. In addition, you will need to remember that you can recycle not everything at a community recycling centre, and limits apply to some items.

Items that you can drop off for recycling at a community Recycling centre:

  • TV’s, including computer monitors
  • Printer cartridges
  • Phone books
  • Scrap metal
  • Batteries, e.g., car batteries, button batteries
  • Light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
  • White goods such as a fridge or a stove

Things That Can’t Be Recycled

Here are things you cannot recycle in yellow bins at home.

  • Plastic bags, including bread bags
  • Styrofoam packaging, e.g., meat tray, egg cartons
  • Ceramic products such as plates and pottery
  • Yogurt containers or margarine containers with a plastic coating on the inside which

WA Container Deposit Scheme

One of the biggest recycling schemes in Western Australia (WA) is the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS). The scheme works by adding a small refund value to containers, which people can cash in when they return them. If you drink alcohol, soft drinks, or buy packaged water, you are already paying for this service – it’s included in the price at the supermarket. To make recycling even easier, there are now reverse vending machines located in shopping centres and public spaces around Perth – these allow you to both redeem your refund and recycle your container at the same time.

Where Can I Take My Recycling in Perth

As you can see from the list, there are plenty of places to recycle your items. Community recycling centres and recycling facilities have a range of bins for different types of recyclable material, so make sure you know what you need to drop off before going. If possible, try and separate your recyclables into three different categories: paper and card (cardboard), steel and aluminium, and glass. If you can’t do this at home, some recycling facilities may have more for these items than others, depending on the type of facility they are. It’s also important to remember that not everything can be recycled – make sure you check your local council website, which will provide a list of items that can and cannot be recycled.

If you’re looking for a specific item, try using our search function. Type in the name of your item, and we’ll provide a list showing locations close to you where you can recycle it.

What About Nationally and Internationally?

In January of 2018, the largest recipient of our recyclable waste, China, imposed a ban on 24 varieties of recyclable materials. Today, State, Local, and Federal governments have yet to resolve how to handle the waste materials that are building up in landfills.

The Waste Management Association of Australia’s Chief Executive Gayle Sloan, stated that Australia needs to build recycling facilities here instead of exporting these materials to foreign countries. Sloan also suggested that new jobs would be created as the locally recycled products could then be reused in new products. The estimated cost to initiate changing the current recycling system from going overseas to be remaining in Australia is $150 million. No firm commitments were forthcoming from all governmental levels and the topic has been tabled until a future meeting sometime in 2019.

Backyard Bins is Committed to Proper Waste Management

While the different waste management organisations and government departments are reviewing and discussing potential resolutions to our recycling resourcing problems, Backyard Bins is devoted to ensuring that all recyclable materials placed in our skip bins are in compliance with the disposal rules governing residential, commercial, and industrial recycle approved and non-approved guidelines.

In addition to reusable resources, there are hazardous materials and electronic devices that require separate handling. The professional team of waste management experts at Backyard Bins is able to help you dispose of these special items in the appropriate manner at designated waste management centres. You can find your nearest recycling centre at Hotfrog Find Recycling Centres WA here.

For all your answers on Perth area recycling rules or for help with residential, commercial, industrial, or government waste removal skip bins, connect with the experts at Backyard Bins.

We are here to service your needs 7 days a week. We pledge to see that all of your waste materials are delivered to the right recycling centre and in full compliance with all of our local government’s waste management standards.

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Backyard Bins Team

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