Participation is random, your household may or may not be selected. No formal notice will be given, as this program aims to provide feedback on bin use and collect data to improve future waste education.

A Bin Health Check is a quick, visual inspection of your general waste and recycling bins on collection day. Our Waste Services team will simply lift the lid, we won’t dig through your bin!

These checks help us understand:

• If recyclables are mistakenly placed in the general waste bin
• If contamination (incorrect items) is in the recycling bin
• Whether bins are out before collection
• How full the bins are when presented

Note: We are NOT collecting 10c bottles and cans as part of this program.

No, just put your bins out as usual on collection day!

• To help your recycling get sorted correctly, place these items in your yellow-lid bin:
• Glass bottles and jars
• Paper and cardboard
• Steel tins
• Aluminium cans and aerosols
• Plastic containers numbered 1, 2, 4, or 5
• Keep it loose – No plastic bags
• Keep it clean – Rinse out food residue
• Keep lids off – Lids go in the red-lid bin

Recycling Qld – let’s get it sorted | Environment, land and water | Queensland Government

The data we collect will shape future waste education programs, helping residents improve their recycling habits. Together, we can reduce contamination and protect our environment by keeping recyclables out of landfill.

Bin Health Checks will take place randomly throughout the year in different areas of the Scenic Rim, always before bins are collected.

Selected households may have multiple visits. If high contamination is found, we may return to see if improvements have been made.

Other councils across Australia have seen great success with similar programs, helping reduce contamination in recycling bins.

Previous audits show that 19% of items in yellow-lid bins should have gone in general waste—these checks aim to improve that.

"YOUR BIN LOOKS GREAT!" – Your recycling bin is free of contamination. Well done!

"UH-OH! WE SEE A MIX-UP!" – Contamination is present. You’ll receive guidance on what to leave out next time.

Once your bin is placed on the kerb, its contents become Council property. Our team will only conduct a quick visual check, no manual searching will occur.

This program is about education, not enforcement. However, if a bin has excessive contamination, it won’t be collected until the incorrect items are removed.

If you need your bin emptied before the next collection day, you can request an unscheduled collection (fees apply). Visit https://www.scenicrim.qld.gov.au/waste-resource-recovery

After your bins are checked, a tag will be placed on the handle of your yellow-lid bin. This tag will show what’s correct and what needs improvement.

• Follow these simple recycling tips:
• Keep recyclables loose (no plastic bags)
• Flatten cardboard
• Remove lids from bottles and jars (place lids in general waste)
• Rinse out dirty containers
• When in doubt, leave it out! If unsure, put it in the red-lid bin

For more information, visit scenicrim.qld.gov.au.

We respect your privacy. Our team will not remove, handle, or search through any waste inside your bin. The check is a quick visual inspection. If you’re concerned about private items being visible, consider shredding and placing in your general waste bin.

No. This program is about education, not enforcement. No fines will be issued.

We understand that in some cases, contamination may come from passersby or neighbours. While we can’t determine exactly who placed an item in your bin, we encourage you to:

• Keep your bin in a secure location until collection day.
• Label your bin with your house number to discourage misuse.
• Bring our bin in as soon as possible after collection