Residents encouraged to recycle correctly

CITY of Ballarat staff are reminding residents to keep recycling items loose in the yellow-lid bin so they can be turned into new products.

In partnership with Sustainability Victoria, the City of Ballarat has launched the Small Acts, Big Impact campaign.

In 2023 more than 6000 tonnes of household recyclables were collected in the City of Ballarat and transported to Australian Paper Recovery in Truganina.

Contamination levels of the material was around 25 per cent while the state average is 17 per cent.

Recently, Ballarat’s figure has risen to as high as 45 per cent.

Cr Mark Harris encouraged the community to recycle correctly.

“Recyclable products are precious materials that can be used again and again if they are recycled correctly,” he said.

“Keeping recycling loose is an easy way for residents to ensure their recycling can be turned into new things.”

Most of the contamination is caused by plastic bags, coffee cups, tissues, paper towel, glass and shredded paper.

Bagged recycling cannot be sorted and may end up in landfill.

They also cause safety risks to staff who sort recycling as sharp products can be hidden, and things can jam in, or damage, machinery.

A guide to waste and recycling can be found on the City of Ballarat website.