Recycling Rules

What's changed?

The contents of the City of Cockburn’s yellow lid recycling bins are sent to Veolia's recycling facility in Bibra Lake, where the materials are separated and sent away for recycling into new products. This facility was not affected by the Cleanaway facility fire in October 2019. 
 
Until recently, many of Western Australia's recyclable materials were sent to China, the world's largest manufacturer. On 1 January 2018, China implemented their 'National Sword Program' which banned the import of 24 types of waste and put in place much stricter standards for contamination levels. As a result, other countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia received an oversupply of material and also stopped accepting imports. This has made recyclable materials harder to sell and has pushed down commodity prices across the world. 
 
soft plastics, polystyrene, aerosol cans and meat trays are not allowed in the recycling bin in WA

As a result of this change, the State Government has established a Waste Taskforce to look at ways to address the issue. Western Australia's three recycling companies have worked together to establish a new, consistent list of items that can be placed in the recycling bin, with the aim of reducing contamination so that materials can still be sold.   

What can you recycle and where does it go?

The following items can still be placed in your recycling bin:
  • Aluminium cans - sent overseas to be made into aluminium sheets and baking trays
  • Paper and cardboard (not shredded paper) - sent to paper mills overseas to be made into new cardboard, containers and tissues
  • Plastic bottles, tubs and containers - sent to plastic processors overseas to be made into containers, garments and mats
  • Steel cans - sent to steel mills overseas to be made into mild steel products and ingots, and
  • Glass bottles and jars - crushed and used in WA as road base and construction material
All items should be clean, dry, and empty with lids removed. Place all items loose in your recycling bin.
 
For more information about what you can put into each of your bins, select from the following:

What is the City doing to help?

Currently, Perth does not have facilities to recycle most materials but we think this needs to change. The City of Cockburn is searching for solutions, including advocating for a State and Federal government commitment to establish recycling industries in Australia.

The City has also been involved with two new roads paved with recycled waste products as well as an extensive waste education program in place, including bin tagging, school talks, tours, workshops and events.

What does this mean for you?

All recycling facilities in WA can no longer accept the following items in the yellow-lid recycling bin:
Soft ‘scrunchable’ plasticsAerosol cansMeat traysPolystyrene

Frequently asked Questions (FAQ's)

What are soft plastics?What should I do with soft plastics now that there is no REDcycle bin?Do all types of meat trays go into the general waste bin?Do shopping centres accept aerosols?Do these changes affect Cockburn only or are they state-wide?As less material can now be recycled in my yellow-lid bin, can I get a bigger general waste bin?If China banned a number of waste items back in January 2018, why have we just found out about the changes?What bin do the lids from bottles and jars go into?Why isnt more being done to develop the recycling industry in WA?

More information and contacts

Helpful tools for reducing your waste can be found in the War on Waste Toolkit 2023 

For more information, contact the Waste Education Team on 08 9411 3444.

Contact

Address

City of Cockburn
Whadjuk Boodjar
9 Coleville Crescent,
Spearwood 6163

PO Box 1215, Bibra Lake DC,
Western Australia, 6965

Office opening hours:
8.30am to 4.30pm
Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)

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Cockburn Nyungar moort Beeliar boodja-k kaadadjiny. Koora, yeyi, benang baalap nidja boodja-k kaaradjiny.
Ngalak kaditj boodjar kep wer kaadidjiny kalyakool yoodaniny, wer koora wer yeyi ngalak Birdiya koota-djinanginy.

The City of Cockburn acknowledges the Nyungar people of Beeliar Boodjar. Long ago, now and in the future they care for Country.
We acknowledge a continuing connection to Land, Waters and Culture and pay our respects to Elders, past and present.