Recycling concerns

Published on 29 August 2023

A recent collection of glass recycling bins in West Wimmera Shire Council has revealed an alarming trend of incorrect waste disposal practices in the region.

Items such as timber cut-offs, lids, cement bags, bagged rubbish, and metal were found in glass recycling bins collected from the Kaniva and Apsley areas earlier this month.

These items can pose a significant challenge to the recycling processes.

Council Chief Executive Officer David Bezuidenhout said placing non-glass items into the glass recycling bins could contaminate the recycling stream, damage recycling machinery, and create hazards for sorting personnel.

“This unfortunate practice not only disrupts the recycling process, but also places an avoidable burden on Council in terms of time and resources,” he said.

West Wimmera Shire Council is urging residents to adhere to proper recycling guidelines.

“Glass items, without lids, are the only items that should be placed in the purple recycling bins. The lids should be placed in general waste,” Mr Bezuidenhout said.

In a separate incident earlier this month, there was a close call at the Horsham waste facility, which highlighted the dangers of improper disposal of electronics and batteries.

A laptop, containing a battery, was wrapped in a plastic bag, and deposited in a recycling bin collected from Kaniva or Apsley.

The battery exploded and caused a small fire within the facility.

Fortunately, no injuries occurred, and the staff swiftly managed to contain the fire.

Mr Bezuidenhout said the incident highlighted the importance of disposing of electronics and batteries correctly.

“Batteries should never be placed in recycling bins due to the risks they pose,” he said.

“Electronics can be disposed of at any of Council’s transfer stations. Smaller items, including batteries, can be placed into Council’s eWaste sorting station in the foyer of the Edenhope office.”

West Wimmera Shire Council is urging residents to be conscientious about the items they place in their recycling bins in the future.

Residents wanting more information about what goes in each bin, should click here.