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NAWMA provides a 240 litre bin for recycling. The bins are easily identified with a bright yellow lid, which features a list of items suitable for recycling.
Using the recycling bin is simple – just drop your recyclables in it and put it out. You do not have to separate or tie your papers and cardboard. Do not use plastic bags in your recycling bin.
What should I put in the recycling bin?
Here is what we can recycle:
Most recyclables are sorted by hand, so please make sure they are clean.
NAWMA can not recycle:
If you are not sure, ring NAWMA on the freecall number 1800 111 004 or 8252 9666.
What happens to the recyclables?
NAWMA, through its contractor Cleanaway, delivers recyclable material to the world class Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) at Elizabeth West. The MRF is operated by Regional Recyclers Pty Ltd and NAWMA.
NAWMA’s recycling collection service currently receives around 18,000 tonnes of material from member Councils and a further 11,000 tonnes from client Councils including Mallala, Clare/Gilbert Valley and Light Regional.
A combination of manual and leading edge technology is used to sort and package material suitable for recycling. Recycled products are manufactured and dispatched to locations locally, and all over the world.
Glass
Glass bottles and broken glass go to ACI Glass in Adelaide.
Steel
Steel is transported to BHP in Whyalla to be melted down and used to make new steel products.
Aluminium
Aluminium cans are sent to Statewide with the foil trays going to Simsmetal.
Cardboard and paper
Loads of clean cardboard, along with mixed paper and cardboard, is baled and loaded into shipping containers to be exported to overseas markets. Currently, two shipping containers are sent from the MRF each day.
Old newspapers can be used by Fibrecycle in Adelaide to make into insulation, or by Fletcher Challenge Mills in Albury, NSW to be made back into newsprint.
Milk and fruit juice cartons are recycled into high quality office paper at Nowra in NSW.
Plastics
On most plastic products you buy there is a triangle with a number in it. This number identifies the polymers used to make the plastic. It does not necessarily mean that the container can be recycled.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) deposit bottles, such as soft drink bottles, are sent to Statewide for reimbursement of the deposit, which is then used to help cover some of the costs associated with the recycling collection and sorting.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) non-deposit bottles, such as dishwashing liquid, are sent directly to ACI Petalite in Albury, NSW, where they are granulated and used for a variety of products, including sleeping-bag filling and waterproof jackets.
High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) containers, such as plastic milk bottles, are sent to Plastics Granulating Service in Adelaide. The granules are then sent to RibLoc at Gepps Cross to be made into stormwater pipes.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) containers, such as cordial bottles, are sent to Cryogrind in Geelong, Victoria to be made into electrical conduit.
Plastic Recyclers Australia (PRA) recycles Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), used for making plastic lids, into plastic stakes.
Polypropylene (PP) containers, such as ice cream containers, are also sent to Plastics Granulating Service in Adelaide.
Polystyrene (PS), used to make margarine containers and meat trays, is also used by PRA.
Unlike glass, steel and aluminium, plastics are not melted down. As such, the recycling process does not eliminate the possibility of contamination. For this reason, plastics cannot be recycled into new food containers.
Residents are advised to return plastic shopping bags to the supermarkets. Bi-Lo and Coles provide large containers.
Plastic Recyclers Australia (PRA)
Plastic Recyclers Australia has developed a process for making strong plastic poles, garden stakes, beams and other useful products from low density polyethylene and polystyrene.
The poles can be used in many ways, from vineyard posts to holding oyster nets in aquaculture operations. In this way, they replace treated timber poles, which may contaminate soil and water. PRA has proven that its plastic poles can be used without any detrimental effect to the environment.