Recent challenges with recycling in Victoria following the temporary closure of SKM Recycling Plants have highlighted the importance of recycling and the need to improve household recycling habits.
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Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group has launched a new recycling campaign 'Let's Get It Sorted' to simplify information about recycling.
It is an effort to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and ensure materials that can be recycled have the chance at a second life.
Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery group chief executive La Vergne Lehmann said improved recycling could open up new business opportunities to utilise recycled materials, so it was important residents got it right at the first stage when putting their waste in their household bins.
"Reducing contamination is a challenge but something that needs to be worked on to ensure there are better outcomes for recycling across the region," she said.
The 'Let's Get It Sorted' recycling campaign is sending a clear message to residents what items can and can not be recycled.
Reducing contamination rates in recycling is key to improving the recycling system in Australia and keeping recycling costs down for the community.
- La Vergne Lehmann, Grampians Central West Waste and Resource Recovery Group
The campaign promotes the motto 'if in doubt, leave it out' or to check the local council website on what items can be recycled.
Contamination in recycling leads to increased processing costs and could mean other recyclables do not get processed.
A campaign flyer shows paper, cardboard, magazines, milk and juice cartons, glass bottles and jars with no lids, plastic containers that hold their shape with no lids, empty steel, aluminum and aerosol cans can be recycled.
Residents are reminded to keep recyclables lose in the bin, and soft plastics and cling film can be recycled at participating Coles and Woolworths stores.
Plastic bags, window glass, mirrors, food waste, medical waste, crockery, nappies, clothing and textiles should be put in the landfill rubbish bin.
"Reducing contamination rates in recycling is key to improving the recycling system in Australia and keeping recycling costs down for the community," Ms Lehmann said.
The launch of the campaign comes after Ms Lehmann told The Courier in March she had applied for government funding to develop a business case for a materials recycling facility in Ballarat, recognising a need to increase the capacity of Victoria's recycling system.
EPA issued SKM's Laverton North and Coolaroo sites with a remedial notice on February 15 which required them to cease accepting recyclable materials.
The Courier understands the Geelong South site was not issued with an EPA notice, but was temporarily closed to avoid one.
The Laverton North and Geelong South site resumed operations in March.
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