Better bins for better recycling in Bayswater

• Improved kerbside waste and recycling programs to roll out in seven local councils

• Funding increased to support greater participation in program

More local councils will be supported to improve recycling and kerbside waste collection services, with a major increase in funding for the State Government's Better Bins program announced today by Environment Minister Albert Jacob.

Seven local councils have signed up to the program, launched in January last year as a $7.5 million pilot. With the increase in funding, $20 million is now available to extend the scheme.

The Better Bins program funds local authorities to provide their residents with improved kerbside collection systems that help increase recycling rates and divert waste from landfill.

The City of Bayswater is the latest to sign up, with the City of Stirling, towns of Cambridge and Cottesloe and the shires of Capel, Donnybrook-Balingup and Chittering also participating.

"The Better Bins program encourages the use of a three bin system, which allows residents to separate their green waste into a bin with a green lid, co-mingled recycling into a bin with a yellow lid, and general waste into a red lid bin," Mr Jacob said.  

"Separating waste helps support recycling by reducing the amount of non-recyclable materials in the recycling streams. Cleaner recycling streams are easier to recycle and more valuable.

"Providing uniform lid colours between different council areas also helps homeowners better understand what type of waste goes into what bin, regardless of where they live."

The Minister said he was very pleased to see councils embrace the Better Bins system because it was an efficient way to increase rates of recycling.

"Only 40 per cent of WA's waste stream is recycled, with materials worth millions of dollars being sent to landfill each year," he said.

"We can do a lot better and it's encouraging to see local councils come on board in this way to help increase our rate of recycling.

"With Better Bins funding, the City of Bayswater and the other six councils will help to lead the community in recycling and help create a more sustainable future."

        Fact File

• Western Australia has the highest rate of waste generation in Australia

• In the greater Perth region, waste generation is expected to increase from around five million tonnes in 2012-13 to about six million tonnes in 2020

• For more information, visit http://www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au 

Minister's office - 6552 5800