Minor landfill fire sparks warning to recycle correctly

Published on 30 June 2017

Sunraysia residents are reminded to recycle ‘the right way’ to not only minimise contamination of recyclable materials, but for the safety of Council’s Waste Services staff and landfill users. 

The warning follows an incident earlier this month at the Mildura Landfill where a small fire started at the bulk up facility – where kerbside recyclable items are first emptied – caused by a lithium battery that should not have been placed in a recycling bin.

While the quick response by staff and strict safety procedures at the site ensured the fire was quickly contained and extinguished, the incident highlighted the risks posed to waste collection vehicle and landfill staff by residents placing incorrect items in recycling bins.

Mildura Rural City Councillor for Environmental Sustainability Anthony Cirillo said that while the safety of Council staff was obviously a priority, correct usage of Council’s kerbside recycling service was also important to reduce contamination rates.

“At the moment we recycle an average of 5,300 tonnes each year through our kerbside recycling service,” Cr Cirillo said.

“However our current contamination rates are at 18.1 per cent by weight and 11.8 per cent by volume, with bagged waste, green waste, steel frypans, soft plastics and nappies among the main contributors to those contamination rates.

“Our Mildura Landfill staff also still regularly find recyclable items being placed into general waste, representing more than five per cent of waste by volume that shouldn’t be there.

“These figures show we have room for improvement, and that by residents taking a little more care to ensure general waste and recycling bins are used correctly, we can cut our contamination rates while making our landfill a safer place for Council staff and other landfill users.”

The following items can go into recycling bins:

- cardboard

- glass bottles and jars

- milk and juice cartons

- aluminium and steel cans, foil trays and aerosols

- newspapers and magazines

The following items should not be placed in recycling bins:

- food scraps

- garden waste

- nappies

- plastic bags

- soft plastics such as chip packets and muesli bar wrappers

These are just some of the items that should and shouldn’t be placed in recycling bins. For a full list as well as additional information about waste services, visit www.mildura.vic.gov.au and navigate to our Waste Management page from the Services tab.

Residents can also download the free Loddon Mallee Waste Info App, which helps people make quick and simple waste and recycling decisions with a few swipes on their phone or tablet. The app is available through the App Store or Google Play by searching for ‘Loddon Mallee’.

Media enquiries 
Ben Piscioneri
p) (03) 5018 8689 
e) ben.piscioneri@mildura.vic.gov.au