At a glance
Last year, between Christmas and New Year’s Day residents:
- Generated 50 tonnes more kerbside recycling compared to average (29% increase compared to a standard week – normally 175 tonnes)
- Generated 195 tonnes more kerbside waste compared to average (21% increase – normally 1,105 tonnes)
- Disposed 57 tonnes more general waste at transfer stations (21% increase – normally 322 tonnes)
Christmas is a time for giving, but it is also a period that sees thousands of extra tonnes of waste and household rubbish.
Last year, the amount of waste generated by Cairns households over the festive period increased by more than 20% compared to a standard week during the year, and kerbside recycling spiked by almost 30%.
With so much extra waste being generated, residents are being reminded that they can all do their bit to reduce the amount of rubbish that ends up in landfill.
Cairns Mayor Bob manning said that involves considering how to avoid waste, reuse materials and “recycling right”.
“It might be the festive season, but that doesn’t mean we can get slack when it comes to separating recyclables from other waste,” Cr Manning said.
“With all that extra household rubbish, it is easy to fill the general waste bin and then decide to use the yellow-lid bin for general waste too.
“That can cause real problems with our recycling due to high levels of contamination, that is, those incorrectly disposed items such as plastic bags, food scraps/greenwaste and clothing.
“Incorrectly placed items not only affect the quality of our region’s recycling efforts, meaning more is sent to landfill, but can damage our sorting machines or worse.
“We need to remain vigilant and make sure we do the right thing all year round, regardless of the season.”
The holiday period is also a popular time to have those garage clean ups.
Unfortunately, many residents still dispose of items, such as electronic waste, scrap steel, batteries, camping and barbecue gas bottles, ropes, hoses, strapping and even old Christmas trees, tinsel and faulty lights in their recycling bins.
“These items can be extremely dangerous for our facility workers,” Cr Manning said.
“Your yellow-lid recycling bin is actually all about packaging, hard plastic bottles and containers, steel and aluminium cans, glass bottles and jars and of course paper and cardboard.”
Residents are also reminded that many of these items can be dropped off free at Council Transfer Stations.
