Stark warning to Aussies over harmful Christmas recycling bin hack: 'A waste'
Making this one recycling mistake can result in an entire bin’s worth of recycling being ruined.
When it comes to cleaning up after Christmas, overflowing bins are an all too common problem. While most Aussies would be keen to try any trick in the book to fit more rubbish in the bin, one recycling hack has sparked a warning.
The hack, to fit more empty cardboard boxes into the recycling bin by watering them down with the garden hose, seemingly does more harm than good. "I can’t remember where I saw this hack, but it's too good to not share especially at Christmas time," the woman shared online.
"Water large boxes down (on the lawn so it's getting watered at the same time). The boxes shrink and fit into recycling so much better."
While some Aussies have admitted to doing the same, many more came out concerned about the impact it has when it comes to rubbish collection day. So much so waste company Veolia has weighed in on the trend.
"We love to see recycling hacks, so it pains us to say that this one only achieves recycling harm Veolia's Craig Barker told Yahoo News Australia. "So much so that it could even result in an entire bin’s worth of recycling being ruined."
How to recycle Christmas waste in yellow bin correctly
Barker admitted that at this time of year, it's a "tough challenge" getting everything into the yellow bin but said that rubbish should "always be dry" because the individual materials inside the bin can only be sorted when they are separated and not stuck together in "one big sloppy wet pile".
"A good way to vent this exasperation is to tear apart a cardboard box," he suggested. "Or stomp on it, or cut it up, but just don’t wet it. It’s a waste of water and gets in the way of the increased recycling spirit (and effort) people go to in December."
Other common bin mistakes made by Aussies
It's not the only rubbish mistake that Christmas revellers make at this time of year.
Wrapping paper or bags that are not recyclable
Packaging from gifts that's not recyclable such as polystyrene, soft plastics, packaging pellets, etc
Christmas lights
Christmas decorations
Textiles such as clothing and bedding
Food waste - which can't be recycled but needs to go in a FOGO bin, not the mixed recycling bin.
"If people aren't sure what to recycle they should check their local council's website for information on what can and can't go in their household bins," Barker advised.
To find out more about how to recycle correctly, visit Planet Ark.
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