Resident slams major city council for ‘disgraceful’ tactic: ‘It's a waste of money’

Recycling is undoubtedly a crucial practice that significantly benefits our environment. However, some people may find it difficult to do it effectively, and one council initiative has highlighted who does it properly.

In a move that has sparked controversy and debate, a major city council has implemented a new system to rate residents on their recycling habits.

The policy, which involves tagging bins with green or red badges post-collection, has been met with mixed reactions from the community, with some calling it 'disgraceful' and 'laughable’.



Linda Hall, a resident of Chirnside Park in Melbourne, was surprised to find a green paper tag with a smiley face and a congratulatory message looped around her recycling bin handle.

The tag, bearing the Yarra Ranges Council logo, was a pat on the back for her compliance with recycling guidelines.


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A city council in Melbourne rates the residents’ recycling habits. Image source: Facebook



However, not all her neighbours were as lucky.

Some received red tags marked with a sad face and a plea to 'Please recycle correctly,' which, according to Hall, led to visible embarrassment among some residents.

‘I felt sadness for my neighbours who got red tags. I saw their faces. Some laughed it off, while others, I could see the humiliation,’ she said.



The sentiment of public shaming was echoed by many in the community.

Hall expressed her concern, stating that while she agrees that recycling incorrectly is problematic, the council's approach might not be the most effective way to address the issue.

She questioned whether genuine mistakes were being considered and highlighted that passersby sometimes dispose of items in bins, which could unfairly contribute to a household receiving a red tag.

‘People do the wrong thing, which I think is wrong, but has anyone stopped to ask why? Is it possible they made a genuine mistake?’ she asked.

‘I do object to this tactic... it's a waste of money,’ she said.



While the Yarra Ranges Council did not state the purpose of this initiative or when it started, it follows a nationwide effort to reduce waste contamination and promote proper rubbish disposal.

The conversation has garnered mixed reactions online, with some siding with Hall.

‘It's laughable,’ one person said.

Another pointed out that his partner and two small children would push their waste into ‘whatever bin it fits’.

‘Not out of choice but necessity,’ he explained.



However, the council’s rating system has not been without its supporters.

Some residents have welcomed the tags, arguing that stricter measures are necessary to improve recycling practices in Australia. They believe that starting at the household level is essential for making a broader impact.

‘We need more of this because people put their rubbish into their recycling bins, contaminating the loads in the trucks,’ one commenter said

This news follows the announcement of an increase in kerbside bin collection charges in the City of Yarra, Melbourne. The bin tax is rising by an average of 30 per cent, significantly higher than the allowed rate increase of 2.75 per cent. You can read more about that here.
Key Takeaways
  • Residents in a Yarra Ranges Council area are being judged on their recycling, with bins tagged green for good or red for poor sorting.
  • A local resident, Linda Hall, reported feeling shamed by the red tags and questioned whether this public tactic was the best way to improve recycling habits.
  • The council's initiative follows a nationwide effort to reduce waste contamination and promote proper recycling practices in Australia.
  • The tagging system sparked online debate, with some locals criticising it as laughable, while others support the measure as necessary for better recycling.
We encourage our members to share their thoughts on this policy. Have you experienced similar initiatives in your area? Do you feel that public tagging is a necessary step towards better recycling habits? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
 
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I find this amusing and I'm somewhat in support. There doesn't seem to be any penalty involved.
Rubbish disposal is arguably the biggest issue affecting the health of this planet.
Incorrect recycling is a waste of money. Either the Council has to spend extra time and resources to separate the recyclables from the rubbish; or the whole bin full is simply sent to land fill which would defeat the purpose of recycling.
I just hope nobody reeks revenge on the Council by deliberately contaminating the recycling bin. That would be totally foolish, irresponsible and deserving of a red label.
 
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I live in flats so we can't be held for what every person does, but if l was living in a house l would like that system so that l would know that l am doing the right thing
I live in a flat too but I wonder how we lived so long without so many bins. We were healthier when we only used ONE bin for everything.
 
We have a choice:
Participate responsibly in recycling and rubbish disposal programmes, or
increase Council rates to pay somebody else to do it for us, or
live on a rubbish tip of a planet.
Do you really believe that the council separates your rubbish & recycling when it reaches the tip? The recyclables would all be contaminated so not suitable for recycling. Apart from that, where does the recycling garbage truck go to when it has finished its round? The tip!!!
 
Who wants to stand out in the weather to sort out your kitchen tidy when it is full? I do not have room for more than one bin in my small kitchen so everything goes in it. I do not have room for more than one bin in my craft room so everything goes in it. I do not have room for more than one bin in my bathroom so everything goes in it. I do not have the time or patience to stand at the outside bin to sort these out so they all go in the green top bin otherwise there would be bits & pieces of rubbish all over the place if I tried to sort them out at the bin.
 
Since we MUST have our bins at the kerb the night before collection, that gives roughly 12 hours of free access to our bins by all and any scumbags… I’ve had this happen… some nasty POS contaminated MY bin… and I was sanctioned….
im over 60 yo, a single woman and a broken baby pram was shoved in the top of my recycle bin…. Not happy Jan!
 
Who does the Council employ to run around checking & tagging bins? This can't be the truck operator so somebody has been paid to walk several k'ms every day doing this. How much cost does this add to operating costs at the Rate payer's expense?

Personally, l feel this is unnecessary.
 
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Who does the Council employ to run around checking & tagging bins? This can't be the truck operator so somebody has been paid to walk several k'ms every day doing this. How much cost does this add to operating costs at the Rate payer's expense?

Personally, l feel this is unnecessary.
The truck has cameras when they pick it up to empty it they can view what's inside if contaminated they leave it full & put a sticker on it
 
The truck has cameras when they pick it up to empty it they can view what's inside if contaminated they leave it full & put a sticker on it
they wouldn't want to do that to me. I know what I'd put the sticker on and he wouldn't like it. I was advised that the garbage men in Bundaberg will actually come into your yard to collect the bin if you have problems. In my block 2 are my age and one is extremely ill. I contacted the council and was told "your doctor has to contact council, make the request for the drivers to pick up the bins, be told how to fill in our request form and we'll make a decision". Typical Bundy crap.
 
These tags are BS. Paying to have them massed produced and then paying someone to go along and put them on. As rate payers they should complain about such a waste of money. About time councils put future plans for using our money on our rates notice so we can express if their plans (like this ridiculous one) is acceptable or not.
 
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I find this amusing and I'm somewhat in support. There doesn't seem to be any penalty involved.
Rubbish disposal is arguably the biggest issue affecting the health of this planet.
Incorrect recycling is a waste of money. Either the Council has to spend extra time and resources to separate the recyclables from the rubbish; or the whole bin full is simply sent to land fill which would defeat the purpose of recycling.
I just hope nobody reeks revenge on the Council by deliberately contaminating the recycling bin. That would be totally foolish, irresponsible and deserving of a red label.
So agree and see no issue with the tags at all if one is recycling what we are all advised to. More stuff goes in our Red bin that I question!!!! And yes the bins do need some hosing down... some people professionally clean the bins ..not sure how much er bin or size but an undesirable job!!
 
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