Bin assessments identify and quantify by volume the types of recyclables and contamination found in kerbside recycling bins. Assessments also provide an opportunity for personalised education to residents on their recycling habits.

The major aim of the multi-year bin assessment program is to understand the quantity of kerbside recycling contamination and the materials causing the contamination, so as to prioritise regional education and awareness activities and ultimately reduce the volume of recyclable materials going to landfill.

The next kerbside recycling bin assessment will take place in Burnie City, Circular Head, Central Coast, Devonport City, Kentish, Latrobe and Waratah Wynyard municipal areas from 23 September 2019 for an eight week period.

A total of 11,887 bins were assessed the last time this program was run (end 2018 and early 2019). On average, recycling bins across the region were estimated to be filled to 74% of their capacity.

Of the kerbside bins assessed, 36% contained some form of contamination.

Soft plastic was again the most common contaminant found with 129 occurrences recorded per 1000 bins.
Recycling packed in plastic bags was the second most commonly occurring contaminant, followed by garbage and/or garbage in bags, foil food bags (a form of soft plastic) and foam meat trays.

Bins that contain more than 10% total contamination are recorded as a ‘fail’. Across the region, 6% of bins failed the assessment.
9% were classified as ‘Improvement Required’, where contaminants made up between 5 – 10% of the bin content.
85% of bins passed the assessment, recording less than 5% contamination.