AWEST Wimmera Shire recycling audit has revealed a significant increase in waste material being deposited in recycling bins.


Wimmera Mallee Waste Management carried out the audit in November on behalf of West Wimmera Shire Council.


The audit analysed the contents of glass recycling and general recycling bins collected from Apsley, Edenhope, Goroke, Harrow and Kaniva.


The results showed a significant increase of non-recyclable materials in general recycling bins in the past year, from 15.1% in September 2023 to 26.2% in November 2024.


Contaminants in glass recycling bins increased from 1.3% to 1.7%.


However, it was also clear that residents were putting less glass in general recycling bins, with the percentage of glass found in the wrong bin decreasing from 3% to 2.4%.


The main contaminants of the glass bins were wine collars and loose lids off jars and bottles.


There was also a significant amount of animal waste, which was believed to have come from a single source, rather than multiple residents.”


For a full list of what residents can and cannot recycling in West Wimmera Shire, go to https://www.westwimmera.vic.gov.au/Residents/Rubbish-and-recycling/Landfill-and-transfer-stations.


Council will roll out a series of social media adverts to help address common recycling mistakes and improve the quality of recycling in the region.