CARDBOARD packaging, wrapping and glass from Christmas help fuel the annual recycling rush in Canberra.

ACT recycling agency NOWaste experiences an increase of about 10 per cent in recycling two weeks after Christmas, despite the mass exodus of Canberrans leaving the city for the summer break.

“One of our biggest issues is foil wrapping paper, people think it’s a plastic but it can’t be recycled,” says manager Chris Ware.

“Tinsel can’t be recycled, it’s not a foil, it’s a film plastic and we can’t recycle film plastics.

“Then, of course, we have all the Christmas left overs, which is also a big issue.”
He said the annual spike in recycling comes from residential homes and businesses.

“Generally, not only the recycling drop-off centres, but through the yellow-lid bins at residences,” he said.

“The big thing there is glass and cardboard packaging from Christmas presents.

“Obviously at this time, there is increased consumption, and it’s good to see that Canberra people recycle more, but we do see about a 10 per cent increase than in normal weeks.”

Canberra is one of the top performers in recycling waste in the country, currently recycling 75 per cent of waste, but that figure could be better with less contamination in recycling bins and residents understanding exactly what they can and can’t recycle.

He said NOWaste frequently sees items that can’t be recycled thrown into recycling bins including drinking glasses, Christmas food leftovers, nappies, foil wrapping paper and tinsel.

One thing that people didn’t realise that they could recycle is aluminium trays and aluminium foil, despite them being used for cooking.

“People think if it’s got a little bit of food on it, it can’t be recycled, but it definitely can,” he said.
Mr Ware said that if people want to learn more about recycling in Canberra they should attend one of the tours they offer at the Hume facility.

“We run tours of our materials recovery facility, so people can go out there and learn more about the process,” he said.

“I don’t think that there is anyone that goes out there that doesn’t come back saying ‘I didn’t realise that’.”

More information at www.tams.act.gov.au/live/Recycling_and_Waste

[box] NOWaste recycling tips:

• Don’t put recycling in plastic bags. Plastic bags and anything that goes inside a plastic bag goes into landfill.
• Empty containers of any food or liquid (but there is no need to rinse or wash them).
• If you run out of room in your recycling bin, items can be taken to recycling centres in Belconnen, Mitchell, Phillip and Tuggeranong, which are open at all times. [/box]