knowyourcouncil

WASTE SERVICES

I use my bins for waste and recycling but what else do Councils provide?

• Local Governments provide a wide range of waste management services to suit their local community in addition to general and recycling bin service.
• Depending on your location, these services can include additional green waste bins; periodic verge collections for larger items and green waste; and town based transfer stations for waste.
• To take best advantage of additional waste services you are entitled to access as a ratepayer please contact your Council.

I like to recycle but can I do more?

• Unfortunately many people who use their recycling bins make simple mistakes that result in their waste not being recycle but going to landfill.
• Common mistakes include: leaving lids on plastic bottles; placing recycling in plastic bags; leaving food scraps or traces of food in recyclable containers.
• It may seem Councils are being fussy on recycling but the sorting plants have to process waste efficiently as shown here.
• And please don’t place clothing, books or homewares in your recycling bin but rather click here to find your nearest location to give these items another life.
• For more information on how to make the most of your recycling please contact your Council or visit www.recycleright.wa.gov.au.

I pay my rates and rubbish charges but what is the Waste Levy?

• The Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Levy is charged on every tonne or waste that is generated or landfilled in the metropolitan area.
• The Levy is collected by the Local Governments or company that runs the landfill and paid to the State Government.
• Of the Levy collected, 25 per cent goes to fund waste management related activities, as directed by the Waste Authority.
• When the Waste Levy was first established all payments were to go to these activities but the State Government changed that in 2011.
• For more information about the Waste Authority visit www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au.