Bin detectives check out new recycling

Waste watchers: The council's bin detectives are checking the new wheelie bins to make sure rubbish doesn't contaminate recycling.

From City Scene, published on 24 August, 2008

Aucklanders are responding well to the new fortnightly recycling service, according to the council's "bin detectives".

As part of the new service, the council is checking inside blue-lidded wheelie bins to make sure that they are only being used for recycling - not for household rubbish.

The detectives, who have been going ahead of collection trucks to check the bins before they are emptied, have found non-recyclable items such as food scraps, fabric and plastic bags.

Bins containing small quantities of non-recyclable materials will still be emptied, but given a reminder sticker about what can and cannot go inside. Bins found with large amounts of rubbish and other contaminants will not be emptied until the rubbish is removed. These bins are taped shut so the truck operators know not to empty them.

Lindsey du Preez, the council's waste education officer, says it's important for residents to know what can and can't be recycled to avoid contamination. "Placing the wrong items in the recycling bin can contaminate an entire truckload of recyclable material, which means it can't be recycled," she says.

Residents should put all of their recyclables (plastic containers numbered 1-7, aluminium, tin and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, and paper and cardboard) loosely into the recycling wheelie bin. Recyclables should not be put in plastic bags.

Placing recyclables or rubbish into other people's recycling bins is illegal and people caught doing this can be fined $150.