- New results from targeted Auckland Council initiative in Onehunga show dramatic improvements.
- Contaminated bins reduced from 95 to 34 in less than three months.
- Independent truck audit found contamination in collected recycling fell from 25% to 15% by weight.
A targeted Auckland Council initiative has dramatically reduced recycling contamination in Onehunga, cutting the number of bins containing incorrect items by over 60 per cent in just 84 days.
The three-month effort to identify incorrect recycling practices followed by education and support to bin users saw the number of contaminated bins identified during inspections fall from 95 to 34. Truck audits of recycling collected from Onehunga found contamination by weight reduced from 25 per cent to 15 per cent.
The initiative forms part of Auckland Council's wider work to improve recycling quality and reduce contamination across the region.
Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves says the positive results highlight the value of working directly with communities.
“Recycling contamination costs ratepayers $3.5 million annually, but most Aucklanders do want to do the right thing when it comes to recycling. What we've seen in Onehunga is that when people are given clear information, practical support and consistent feedback, many are willing to change their habits,” says Ms Haves.
“The reduction in contamination we saw during inspections was also reflected in truck audits. That's a positive sign that less unwanted material is entering the recycling system, and more recyclable material can be recovered.”
The work involved five visits to the area between May and August. Inspectors checked bins before collection, provided recycling information, attached warning tags to contaminated bins, sent follow-up letters where needed and reviewed truck camera footage to identify contamination that was not visible during field inspections.
The route included both residential and commercial properties. More than 1,000 recycling bins were identified and tracked across the area, with the team targeting follow-up activity where it was needed most.
“The lessons we've learned will help us better target our efforts in other parts of Auckland so we can improve recycling quality, reduce contamination and make better use of the resources our communities put into their recycling bins,” says Ms Haves.
The Onehunga area will continue to be monitored, including through object recognition technology installed on recycling trucks that helps identify contamination hotspots.
Auckland Council will use the insights gained from this work to target future contamination hotspots across Auckland as part of its wider recycling contamination reduction programme.
For more information on what can and cannot be recycled: aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/recycling