Putting the wrong item in your recycling or FOGO bin can cause contamination and affect the recycling and processing of material across the region.
The contamination monitoring program is designed to help households sort their waste correctly, keep collection services safe and reduce unnecessary costs to the community.
What happens if someone else puts the wrong thing in my bin?
If you receive a tag on your bin or a letter about contamination and believe someone else may have put the incorrect item in your bin, please contact the North West Resource Recovery and Recycling (NWRRR) call centre on (03) 6427 4646.
NWRRR staff can make a note on your property record and provide advice about preventing contamination in the future. If contamination continues to occur, they may also be able to work with you to find practical solutions.
How is contamination identified?
Serious contamination, including dangerous or clearly incorrect items, can be identified using cameras on collection trucks as bins are emptied.
A contamination strike is only issued when the incorrect material can be clearly identified on the camera footage and linked to the property through GPS mapping.
What happens when contamination is identified?
The program uses a four-strike process to help households correct ongoing contamination.
Strikes 1 and 2
A tag will be placed on the bin explaining what the problem item was and why it should not be placed in that bin.
The tag provides information about where to find further advice, including the NWRRR website and call centre.
In cases of serious contamination, the bin may not be emptied. If this happens, the incorrect items will need to be removed before the bin is presented for the next collection.
Strike 3
A letter will be sent to the residence and, if different, the property owner.
The letter will explain that a third strike has been recorded and that the collection service may be temporarily suspended if another strike occurs.
Information about correct waste sorting will also be provided, and households are encouraged to contact NWRRR if they have questions or need help.
Strike 4
Following a fourth strike, NWRRR and Council will review the property's contamination history and consider whether there are circumstances affecting the household's ability to sort waste correctly.
Council will also check whether there has been a recent change in occupancy.
The bin will receive one final collection so it can be emptied. The affected service may then be temporarily suspended for a minimum of three months.
The service can be reinstated after this period when the householder commits to using the service correctly.
Why is contamination a problem?
Contamination creates additional costs for the community and can affect the quality of material being recovered.
Incorrect items need to be identified and removed before recycling and FOGO material can be processed. This requires additional time and labour.
Some items, including batteries, chemicals, gas bottles and vapes, can also create serious safety risks and may cause fires or explosions.
Other items, such as soft plastics, nappies and general waste, can contaminate recycling or FOGO material. If they cannot be removed during processing, the material may no longer be suitable for recovery and may need to be sent to landfill.
When an entire truckload is heavily contaminated, it may also need to be sent to landfill. This adds disposal costs and the Tasmanian landfill levy.
What about my landfill bin?
Landfill bins are not subject to the contamination strike system.
Your landfill bin can be used for general waste, including items that cannot be placed in your recycling or FOGO bin.
However, some items should never be placed in any kerbside bin, including:
- Batteries
- Gas bottles
- Flares
- Vapes
- Mobile phones
These items can create serious fire and safety risks and should be disposed of through an appropriate disposal service.
Where possible, households are encouraged to use their FOGO and recycling bins correctly. Keeping these materials out of landfill helps reduce landfill costs and supports resource recovery.
What if it was an honest mistake?
Mistakes happen.
A contamination tag or letter is intended to help households understand what went wrong and how to sort their waste correctly in the future.
If you're unsure where an item belongs, check the NWRRR A-Z guide or contact the NWRRR call centre on (03) 6427 4646 for advice.
Why can my collection service be temporarily suspended?
The kerbside collection service is provided on the basis that bins are used correctly and safely.
Ongoing contamination can create additional processing and disposal costs, affect the quality of recovered materials and, in some cases, create serious safety risks.
Where contamination continues despite previous warnings and information, Council may temporarily suspend the affected service. This helps prevent further contamination and supports a safe and sustainable waste collection system for the whole community.
What if I need extra help using the service?
NWRRR wants to support households that are making an effort to use their bins correctly.
If you are having difficulty sorting your waste because of age, disability, health, language, literacy, housing circumstances or another reason, please contact the NWRRR call centre on (03) 6427 4646.
Staff can answer questions, provide additional guidance and, where appropriate, arrange further support such as a face-to-face visit from an engagement officer.
Need help sorting your waste?
If you're unsure which bin an item belongs in, check the NWRRR A-Z waste guide or contact the NWRRR call centre on (03) 6427 4646.
It’s always better to ask if you’re unsure.