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We’ve put together some handy resources and tips on how to sort and reduce your waste.

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Containers for Change

Each year, Western Australians use more than 1.3 billion drink containers. Sadly, many are not recycled, ending up in landfill and as litter across our state.


Containers for Change is Western Australia's container deposit scheme, where a 10 cent refund will be given for each eligible container returned through the scheme, aiming to reduce litter and encourage recycling.

Collect your eligible containers instead of tossing them in the waste, then drop them off at a refund point where you can either keep or donate your 10 cent refund. Not only is it great for the environment, but it’s also a great way to make some pocket money or support local charities and community groups.

There are a number of places within the City of Canning where you can return or donate your eligible containers. Visit www.containersforchange.com.au/wa/ to find out more.
 

The 2021-22 Waste Guide  is now digital. In an effort to reduce waste, our Waste Guide is no longer delivered to households.

Would you like a hard copy? There are limited copies available at our administration centre, libraries, CREEC, Waste Transfer Station and both Leisureplexes. If you are unable to collect a Waste Guide from these locations, please contact us on 1300 422 664 and we will mail one out to you. 

The City has developed a Strategic Waste Management Plan (SWMP), aligning with its broader desire to take a more strategic proactive approach to waste management. The SWMP outlines the City of Canning’s approach in achieving the waste vision by setting out objectives that cover key focus areas, implementing indicators to aim and measure ourselves against and putting in place the actions needed to accomplish our aims.

To view the SWMP, please click here.

The City and its partners host a range of waste and sustainability related workshops and information sessions throughout the year at our Canning River Eco Education Centre (CREEC) at Kent Street Weir. Head to the CREEC page to find out what's coming up. 
The City of Canning sends it recyclable materials to the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council's (SMRC) Material Recovery Facility in Canning Vale. Watch this short video to find out what happens there or head to the Recycle Right website to sign up for a free community tour of the facility and witness it all firsthand!

Want to reduce your waste generation but not sure how? Read our tips below.

Rather than throwing it away on the verge, now is a perfect time to fix that wobbly table, desk or chair. You might even be able to gift it to someone in need or sell to an interested buyer. 

Textiles and clothing
It takes a lot of energy to manufacture fabrics, yet tonnes of textiles and clothing end up in landfill every year. Here are some of our top tips for upcycling clothing and textiles:
 
  • Check out this full list of projects on upcycling fabric scraps.

You can also donate to your local charity shop or non-for profit organisation. Please place only quality or good condition items in the donation bins. A good rule of thumb to determine if an item is of a quality to be donated is to consider ​"would I give this to a friend?".

Shopping tips:

  • Before going to the shops, check what’s in your fridge and pantry so you’re not doubling up.
  • Download a shopping list app. There are many shopping list apps for your phone and tablet - find one that works for you!
  • Resist the bargains (2-for-1) or bulk buys if the food does not have a long shelf life, or cannot be frozen.
Don’t waste it! Before throwing out any food, there might be a recipe waiting for you.
  • Along with a suite of recipes using the ingredients you have, Love Food Hate Waste will also show you how best to store your food and keep it for longer.
  • Foodwise Recipe Finder gives you a full range of delicious recipes by entering the ingredients you have in your fridge and cupboard.
What’s the difference between use-by and best-before?
  • Foods marked with a use-by date must be consumed before that date.
  • Best-before indicates the date from which the quality of the food starts to deteriorate from its peak, but can still be consumed after this date within reason.
Regrow store bought veggies and herbs
  • This is surprisingly easy from the comfort of your own home. Check out this video for fourteen examples.
  • You can also reuse plastic bottles to help you in the garden. Watch these five hacks.
Compost it!
  • The City of Canning has subsidised Bokashi Bins available for purchase (at 50% off regular retail price) at the Waste Transfer Station to begin your journey of composting at home.

 

With many of our favourite restaurants offering increased takeaway services, this means more takeaway containers are being used. There are many things we can do with these containers before throwing them away. They can be used for:
 
  • Storage that’s stackable in your cupboard, drawers or fridge
  • Small containers that can save paint from drying out
  • Sort out and store your cords
  • Get crafty and create secret compartments (see this video!)
Just want to recycle? As mentioned above, your hard plastic containers (and lids larger than a credit card) should be rinsed and placed loosely into the recycling bin.
 
If not reused, coffee cups, soft drink/milkshake cups, wooden skewers, plastic cutlery and polystyrene are not recyclable and go into the general waste bin.

COVID-19 has highlighted a number of challenges as well as new ways of doing things, but it's still important to place the right items in the right bins. 
 
  • Empty hand sanitiser bottles can be placed in your recycling bin, however lids must be placed in your general waste bin.
  • Tissues, paper towel, napkins, plastic gloves and disinfectant wipes all go into your general waste bin.
  • Jars and their metal lids can be recycled (lid must be removed from jar), but are also great storing food and making sauces and jams.
  • Clean hard plastic containers go into your recycling bin, but you must ensure any plastic bottle lids are taken off and placed into the general waste bin. Plastic bottle lids are too small to be processed at waste processing facilities, so if you’re unsure of what size, use this rule: Any hard plastic lid bigger than the size of a credit card can go in the recycling bin.
  • Save water: clean your recyclables (glasses, jars, plastic containers) with old dishwater.
  • Keep it all loose! Don’t bag up your recyclables.

Related Links

General Waste and Recycling Bins
Reuse Market
Waste Transfer Station
extraMile by Integranet