Contamination campaign making a difference

A FOCUSED recycling education program has helped contamination in the City of Greater Geelong’s yellow bins fall by 200 tonnes in just one year.

The City of Greater Geelong’s bin inspection program has proven highly effective at assisting residents in recycling correctly.

Since its inception 12 months ago, the program has seen thousands of yellow bins checked weekly for contaminants like plastic bags, bagged rubbish and coffee cups.

Recycling messages and free resources have also been going out on social media, buses, billboards and into letterboxes to promote safe recycling.

Cr Trent Sullivan said it was great to see many people had stepped up to make a big impact in the recycling space.

“The Small Acts Big Impact campaign makes recycling easier and more approachable, and it’s fantastic that Greater Geelong has reduced yellow bin contamination.”

Deputy mayor Ron Nelson said new residents and summer visitors would be the targeted focus group for the program moving forward.

New posters and advertisements will be installed in high-visitor areas including newly built estates and tourist hotspots on the Bellarine.

“It’s easy to do a quick check before you throw something in a yellow recycling bin. As a quick rule, plastic bags, coffee cups and general rubbish don’t belong in recycling,” Cr Nelson said.

Residents and owners of short stay accommodation and holiday houses can request free recycling materials and information.

Households who contaminate after being checked and reminded will receive phone calls and may eventually have their bins rejected for collection.

For more information, head to geelong.link/recycleright