Recycling refresher

THE City of Greater Geelong is asking residents to refresh their knowledge of recycling through the launch of a new campaign.

The Recycle Right campaign, funded by Sustainability Victoria, aims to help clarify the common points of confusion around sustainability.

Placing items inside plastic bags is the most common error residents are making when disposing of material, along with placing electronic waste and batteries in kerbside bins.

Electronic waste has caused several truck fires across Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast Shire.

Another common mistake is soft plastics, plastic bags, tissues and paper towels ending up in the wrong bin.

These items should be put into the red rubbish bins.

City environment and circular economy portfolio chair Peter Murrihy said recycling correctly was an easy way to help the environment and keep waste costs low.

“Even if you think you know how to recycle, it’s worth taking a few minutes to check you’re doing it right as recycling has changed in recent years,” Cr Murrihy said.

Contamination in recycling costs the city hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. It plans to step up bin inspections to help improve the issue.

The program will focus on people continuing to put their bagged rubbish and other contaminants into recycling after multiple reminders.

Those households can expect a reminder phone call from the waste education team and may have their bin rejected if the problem continues.

For more information, head to geelong.link/recycleright