Bin Tagging

The Bin Tagging Program will help us understand common misconceptions about what goes in each bin.

The Shire of Esperance works with the WA Local Government Association (WALGA) to provide bin tagging education to randomly selected households, which involves taking a quick look inside kerbside green general waste and blue recycling bins and then attaching a tag to bin handles to provide on-the-spot feedback for the household.

By using our bins correctly, we can ensure recyclable material gets recycled, send less waste to landfill and reduce disposal and processing costs.

What is bin tagging?

  • Bin tagging is a State Government-funded education program delivered by Local Government on a regular basis. The program has been running since 2015.
  • Bin tagging is an education tool to provide residents with direct, individualised feedback on the contents of their bin to help them reduce their waste and recycle right. Information on what should go in which bin is also available here.

How does it work?

  • Select areas of Esperance will receive tags on your bins giving you personalised feedback on how well you are using each bin.
  • Auditors lift the lid of your bin while it is on the kerbside waiting to be collected and assess the immediately visible contents to see whether there is any contamination.

When is Bin Tagging taking place?

  • The Bin Tagging Program is taking place from March through May 2025.

       What is contamination in recycling?

      • When the wrong items are in the bins, this can affect worker safety, processing ability and quality of the end product.
      • Most common types of contamination in recycling bins are food waste, soft plastics, nappies, clothing and textiles, ropes, syringes, and bagged recycling.
      • Recyclables that are placed in plastic bags in the recycling bin do not get recycled. The Materials Recovery Facility cannot open or empty the bags for safety reasons, so instead they get sent to landfill.
      • Recycling is a commodity and relies on good quality feedstock for material to be sold to recycling processors.

      Why is the Shire undertaking the Bin Tagging Program?

      • All recycling is hand-sorted at the Wylie Bay Recycling Facility, and bin tagging will help reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and keep our community safe.
      • Decreasing contamination in the recycling bin then decreases the cost to residents for their waste and recycling services. 
      • Recycling is a shared responsibility, and everyone needs to work together to ensure the right thing is put in the right bin.

      Objective 5.2.3 in the Shire Council Plan- Advance Esperance's Waste Revolution education platform to improve waste diversion rates and promote a circular waste economy. 

          Use the right bin and win!

          Households in selected areas of Esperance that receive a smiley face bin tag on their bins for three (3) consecutive fortnights will be eligible to go into the draw to win a $50 Mastercard gift card. T&Cs apply.

          Continue to place your bins out on their regular collection days, and you could be a winner!

          FAQ's