Released 21/12/2024
The ACT Government is reminding Canberrans to think sustainably this festive season and look for opportunities to reduce waste, reuse and recycle where possible.
“During the festive period Canberrans generate more rubbish and recycling than any other time of the year,” said Minister for City and Government Services, Tara Cheyne.
“We are encouraging everyone to minimise their waste throughout the holidays and consider how items can be reused or recycled. We know most people do the right thing, but sometimes there is confusion about what can be recycled in the household recycling bin and it is important Canberrans know what they can and can’t recycle.”
The following items can go in the recycling bin:
- Christmas cards and envelopes – even with glitter
- wrapping paper and cardboard packaging – even with small plastic windows
- all empty bottles, jars and cans
- empty plastic containers – no need to rinse.
These items cannot go in the recycling bin:
- plastic bags – empty the recycling out loose into the bin
- soft plastics
- Christmas decorations (including tinsel, trees and lights)
- disposable coffee cups and cutlery
- plastic toys
- leftover food or rubbish
- cellophane wrapping
- polystyrene
- broken crockery.
If you’re in doubt about which bin to put waste in this festive season you can search the A‑Z guide for waste and recycling for local recycling and disposal options: www.act.gov.au/recyclopaedia.
“If you have a full recycling bin over the holidays, you can drop off your excess recycling at the free recycling drop off centres located in Belconnen, Gungahlin, Mitchell, Phillip and Tuggeranong. These centres are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week including Christmas Day. They accept steel and aluminium cans, paper, cardboard and rigid plastic containers,” said Minister Cheyne.
Any excess waste that cannot be recycled or disposed of in the green waste bin can be taken to the Mugga Lane resource management centre. The Mitchell and Mugga Lane resource management centres are open every day, except Christmas Day.
There will also be changes for household bin collections this Christmas Day. Bin collections scheduled for Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December 2024, will be rescheduled to Saturday 28 December 2024.
Impacted suburbs are Amaroo, Bonner, Casey, Charnwood, Cook, Crace, Dunlop North (North of Ginninderra Drive), Flynn, Fraser, Hall, Jacka, Melba, Moncrieff, Ngunnawal, Nicholls, Palmerston, Spence and Taylor.
All other collection days, including Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day will be collected as per normal.
“The Christmas gift-giving period gives Canberrans an opportunity to do a festive clean-out. Any unwanted items including clothing, toys and furniture in good condition can be donated to a charity store during business hours, including to Goodies Junction in Mitchell or Mugga Lane,” said Minister Cheyne.
“You can also make the most of bulky waste collections with all Canberra households eligible for one free service per financial year of up to 2 cubic metres. Canberrans living in an apartment or townhouse with shared waste can contact their body corporate or building manager to make a booking on their behalf.
“I urge Canberrans to correctly dispose of hazardous waste such gas bottles, batteries and items with embedded batteries, as they can cause fires if placed in household bins. Residents can visit the A-Z guide to find out locations to safely dispose of hazardous waste.
“We can all do our part this holiday period to ensure we reduce waste, reuse and recycle where possible as these actions will help grow our circular economy.”
- Statement ends -
Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases