Published on Monday, 7 September 2026 at 7:00:00 AM
Esperance residents are already doing a great job when it comes to sorting waste, with contamination rates sitting below the Australian average. Now, the Shire is encouraging residents to take the next step by sorting their loads before arriving at the Wylie Bay Waste Facility through the new Sort Smart, Save Big campaign!
By spending a few minutes organising waste before heading to the Wylie Bay Waste Facility, residents can help reduce disposal costs, recover more valuable resources and minimise the amount of waste sent to landfill.
Correct waste sorting also plays an important role in keeping the community safe. Batteries placed in general waste can cause fires in collection vehicles and waste facilities, a growing issue across Australia that has also affected Wylie Bay. These incidents present a risk to staff and visitors, particularly during summer when prevailing easterly winds could quickly spread a fire towards town.
The benefits of effective waste sorting for resource recovery and correct management of dangerous items extend well beyond the waste facility gate. Recovering materials such as cardboard, paper, glass, metals and plastics helps conserve natural resources and supports a circular economy, where valuable materials are reused rather than discarded. It also extends the life of the Wylie Bay landfill, helping to preserve local waste infrastructure until the Myrup Waste Management Facility comes online.
Many items can be dropped off free of charge when separated correctly, including cardboard, paper, glass, e-waste, batteries, PET and HDPE plastics, steel, green waste, fluorescent globes, printer cartridges, clean fill and clean polystyrene.
Not sure how all this might work once you get to Wylie Bay? We’ve got you - the facility has clearly signposted drop-off areas to help guide you:
- Area 1: Recyclables
- Area 2: Whitegoods requiring de-gassing
- Area 3: Steel, construction and demolition waste, and green waste
- Area 4: General waste
- Area 4.5: Fill
Further details of accepted materials for each area, as well as a site map identifying each area and the correct direction of traffic, can be found on our Sort Smart, Save Big webpage – just scroll down to see the list.
The environmental benefits are significant – closer to home in the current cost of living crisis, sorting waste can also save residents money. When recyclable and recoverable materials are separated before disposal, less waste is charged at the tip face, which can significantly reduce fees, particularly for larger loads.
Taking the time to organise waste can also mean quicker unloading at the facility, lower long-term waste management costs through extending landfill life, stronger support for local recycling programs, improved safety through the correct handling of batteries and other hazardous items, and greater protection for the local environment.
Every correctly sorted load helps keep valuable resources in use for longer and delivers benefits that add up for everyone.
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