RECYCLE RIGHT THIS NATIONAL RECYCLING WEEK!

Shellharbour City Council is reminding residents to make the most of their recycling options during National Recycling Week 2025. Recycling correctly helps reduce landfill, save resources, and protect our local environment.

Last year, Shellharbour diverted over 5,000 tonnes of recyclables from landfill by using their recycling bins, plus an extra 1,029 tonnes through NSW Government Return and Earn facilities.

Between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025, residents also collected 12,563 tonnes of FOGO and 14,167 tonnes of general waste.

These figures highlight how much material moves through our waste system each year and why recycling right matters.

Shellharbour residents have done their part to improve the resource recovery rate of recyclables. Since 2023, the percentage of items successfully recycled through the kerbside yellow bin has increased from 63.8 per cent to 72.6 per cent, representing an almost 14 per cent increase. This means more materials are being sorted correctly and less waste is ending up in landfill.

Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer said National Recycling Week is a timely reminder to check what goes in each bin and consider small ways to give items a second life or keep good quality items out of landfill.

“Recycling is one of the simplest ways we can all help create a cleaner, greener Shellharbour. Every item recycled reduces landfill and protects our natural environment,” Mayor Homer said.

“National Recycling Week is a reminder that sustainability starts at home. Sorting waste properly is important, but reusing items or donating things you no longer need can also make a big difference. Landfill sites don’t last forever, so every effort we make to reduce waste helps extend their life.”

Know your bins:

• Yellow bin: Hard plastics, boxes, cardboard, glass, aluminium, and tin containers.
• Red bin: Soft plastics, paper towel, and tissues.
• Green bin: All food and garden organics.

Don’t waste it, recycle it. Items that could be reused or recycled should never go in the red bin, because they end up in landfill.

Tips to recycle right:

• Keep your recycling loose (don’t bag it)
• Leave lids and labels on
• Save water by not rinsing your recycling

If your yellow bin at home is full, Shellharbour residents can drop off extra recyclables for free at the Dunmore Recycling and Waste Disposal Depot.

KEY MESSAGES:

• Shellharbour residents recycled more than 5,000 tonnes of recyclables last year, along with 12,563 tonnes of food and garden organics and 14,167 tonnes of general waste.
• Residents can make a big difference by following simple recycling tips: keep items loose, leave lids and labels on, and save water by not rinsing recyclables.
• If your yellow bin is full, drop off excess recyclables for free at Dunmore Recycling and Waste Depot.