Three bins pilot program to encourage recycling

A $7.

  • $7.5million program to encourage local governments to adopt three-bin system

  • Part of broader strategy to improve household recycling rates

A $7.5million State Government grants program will help local governments in Perth and major regional centres trial a three-bin system to improve kerbside recycling rates.

Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the two-year Better Bins Kerbside Collection Pilot Program would provide local governments with funding to set up a three-bin collection system.

The three bins would be for general household waste, recyclables and green waste.

"This will allow householders to easily separate waste to increase recycling rates, reduce landfill and provide a residual waste stream with the potential to be used to fuel future waste to energy plants," Mr Jacob said.

"Western Australian local governments currently use a range of different collection systems, but only seven offer a three-bin system. This partly explains why WA kerbside recycling rates are variable, and generally lower, than in the Eastern States."

A three-bin system is used widely in South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.  Kerbside recycling rates for local governments in those States are between 50-60 per cent, compared to about 15-30 per cent for many Perth councils using the two-bin system.

"Results from the two-year pilot program will provide important data about whether a broader scale three-bin system could be warranted in WA to contribute to a more efficient and effective kerbside waste management system," the Minister said.

The Better Bins Kerbside Collection Pilot Program is a key State Government initiative guided by the Western Australian Waste Strategy Creating the Right Environment, which was released in 2012.  The waste strategy sets targets for improved household recycling rates of 50 per cent by 2015 in the metropolitan area and 30 per cent by 2015 in the regions.

        Fact File

  • Local and regional councils are eligible to apply for funding through the Waste Authority

  • In 2011-12, 39% of household waste was recycled in the metropolitan area and 24% in regional areas

Minister's office - 6552 6677