The ACT Government is urging residents to reduce waste and recycle correctly over the holiday period, when rubbish volumes peak.
Tara Cheyne, Minister for City and Government Services, said more rubbish and recycling is generated during the festive season than at any other time of year.
“We encourage everyone to minimise their waste throughout the holidays and think about how items can be reused or recycled,” she said. “Sometimes there i confusion about what can be recycled in the recycling bin, and it’s important Canberrans know what they can and can’t recycle.”
The yellow-lidded recycling bin can accept Christmas cards, envelopes and wrapping paper (including small amounts of tape or glitter); cardboard packaging and pizza boxes (flattened and with food scraps removed); empty bottles, jars and cans; and empty plastic containers (no need to rinse).
Items that do not belong in the recycling bin include plastic bags; soft plastics; Christmas decorations (such as tinsel, trees, and lights); disposable coffee cups and cutlery; plastic toys; food waste; cellophane or foil wrapping; polystyrene; electronic waste, Christmas lights, batteries; nappies or sanitary items; and broken crockery.
Residents unsure about how to dispose of an item can consult the ACT’s A–Z recycling guide online.
Extra recycling can be dropped off for free at recycling centres in Belconnen, Gungahlin, Mitchell, Phillip and Tuggeranong. These are open 24 hours a day, including Christmas Day.
Eligible drink containers can also be returned through the ACT Container Deposit Scheme for a 10-cent refund. Depots have extended opening hours over summer: 8.30am to 6pm.
Waste that cannot go into household bins can be taken to the Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre or Mitchell resource management centres, which are open every day except Christmas Day.
Bin collections scheduled for Christmas Day, Thursday 25 December, will be moved to Saturday 27 December. This will affect a number of northern Canberra suburbs: Aranda, Bruce, Dunlop (south of Ginninderra Drive), Evatt, Florey, Giralang, Hawker, Higgins, Holt, Kaleen, Latham, Lawson, Lyneham (north of Ginninderra Drive), MacGregor, Macnamara, McKellar, Page, Scullin, Strathnairn and Weetangera.
All other collections, including Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, will proceed as normal.
Ms Cheyne said the summer break was also a good time for a clean-out.
Unwanted clothing, toys, and furniture in good condition can be donated to charity stores, including Goodies Junction in Mitchell or Mugga Lane.
All Canberra households are eligible for one free bulky waste collection each financial year. Canberrans living in an apartment or townhouse with shared waste can contact their body corporate or building manager to make a booking on their behalf.
“We can all do our part this holiday season to reduce waste, reuse what we can and recycle properly,” she said.
