Media Release

Help to sort your recycling

“Gisborne has a great recycling record,” says Anne Lister, Council’s waste minimisation officer.

“But more increasingly a lot of waste that can’t be recycled is finding its way into kerbside recycling bins.”

In 2015, 2587 tonnes of recyclables was collected in Gisborne, consistent with the long term average.

Non-recyclable items made up less than 5% of the total amount of recycling collected, but more recently this amount is increasing.

Mrs Lister says this is becoming a problem and additional cost when transferring to the recycling plant in Napier.

Collection staff have taken non-recyclable items in the past, which have then been manually removed and sent on to landfill, but from Monday 11 July non-recyclable items will be left in recycle bins for people to put with their general rubbish.

“We have new recycling trucks with an external sorting system.

“Items that can’t be recycled won’t be collected, but each household will receive a guide to rubbish and recycling in letterboxes that will outline what can and can’t be recycled and how to sort items in your bin.”

The guide will arrive in letter boxes this week, it includes a fridge magnet and information on rubbish collection and other helpful ways to reduce and reuse waste.

“We’re asking people to take on board the information and sort recycling correctly in the future.

“It’s about knowing what can’t be recycled like light bulbs and foam meat trays and taking more care with what goes into your recycling.

“Things like plastic packets stuffed in yoghurt containers, containers with food still in them, magazines not separated from the plastic bag they got delivered in and so on.

“With the new trucks, it’s also really important that the paper and card is contained so it can’t fly away.

“Rejected items will be left in bins so you know what isn’t suitable.”

Handy tips for recycling:
• Make sure you use an approved bin
• Cardboard and paper can be secured separately in a bag or box
• No broken glass, sharps or hazardous material
• If you have two bins, separate your glass into one bin
• Wash and squash containers and plastics
• No meat trays, plastic wrapping or plastic that doesn’t have the recycling symbol
• No toys, kitchenware or computer parts.
Recycling information is available on Council’s website or for any questions contact customer services on 06 867 2049.

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