"Clean your recycling before putting it in the bins, take your lids off and keep the soft plastic out!"
That’s the friendly reminder from Tokomairiro High School’s SPEC class from their audit of the Milton Transfer Station this week.
Clutha District Council Waste Education Officer Hannah McLeary has been working with the class as part of the environmental action-based programme Enviroschools.
The class, which includes Skye, Alex, Peter and Cooper (pictured) have been learning about what can and can't be recycled and took on the challenge hands-on with a wheelie bin audit at the transfer station. They found that the glass recycling that was introduced in September, was sorted very well; although after auditing two of the general recycling bins they found that that amongst the great recycling there was some contamination, such as items that hadn’t been rinsed, lids and soft plastic.
Waste Minimisation Officer Meghan Grant says this was consistent with what the waste team is finding with the current recycling bin audit – the vast majority people were doing very well; however, a small amount of non-compliant materials are making their way into the minority of recycling wheelie bins around the district.
Council’s Waste and Greenspace Team Leader Scott Martin commended the class’s efforts to promote the effort to Recycle Right.
“A big thanks to Skye, Alex, Peter, Cooper and their teacher Mrs McEntyre for their hard work. The challenge will continue to get that contamination level down across the district. Well done to the class and Clutha District for Recycling Right."
Ka pai tō mahi, Tokomairiro High School!
