By Denise Deason
WYNDHAM residents already have a great track record of “being green”, and now the council has introduced new regulations for more to be done.
The types of plastics accepted in residential recycling bins have been expanded to include all plastic containers bearing codes 1-7.
This means that in addition to paper, cardboard, aluminium cans, glass and plastic bottles, residents can now dispose of ice-cream, margarine and yoghurt containers.
In 2006-07, 13,099 tonnes of recyclables were collected from Wyndham households, an increase of almost 10 per cent from the previous year.
In the same period, 34 per cent of household waste was disposed of in recycling bins.
Each local household recycles about 304 kilograms of refuse per year.
More than half of the recyclables are paper and cardboard, followed by glass as the next item.
In 2006-07, local household recycling saved:
• 1344 tonnes of greenhouse gases that would otherwise have contributed to global warming.
• 7320 megalitres of water, enough to fill almost 100 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
• 32,224 megawatt hours of energy, enough to power 7000 average homes.
Mayor Shane Bourke said the expansion on what items could be recycled would clear up confusion for many residents.
“Residents are becoming conscious of sustainable living and are trying to reduce their impact on the environment,” he said.
“The increase in plastic types accepted in residential recycling bins will cut down the amount of household waste going to landfill.
“This addition will assist the commitment Wyndham residents have already demonstrated to recycling.”
