Better Bin program to boost recycling on the Fraser Coast

Fraser Coast residents will have the chance to sharpen their recycling skills with the launch of a new community education initiative - the Better Bin Program.

Supported by the Queensland Government’s Recycling and Jobs Fund, the Better Bin Program is designed to help households recycle right, reduce contamination, and make the most of the region’s new state-of-the-art Materials Recovery Facility in Maryborough.

Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the initiative would run from May to November 2025 and was about making it easier for residents to do the right thing and reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.

“Our new Materials Recovery Facility in Maryborough is built to handle more - but to get the best results for our environment, it all starts at home,” he said.

“By putting the right items in the right bin, we can all play a part in protecting our region’s environment and keeping our recycling system strong.

“This program is about education, not enforcement. It’s a simple, supportive way to help our community recycle better.”

As part of the Better Bin Program, Council Recycling Support Officers will be visiting selected neighbourhoods on bin collection days, performing quick “lift the lid” visual checks to help identify contamination and encourage correct bin habits.

They’ll be looking for three key things:

• Are recyclables in the yellow lid bin loose and clean?
• Is there any contamination in the recycling bin?
• Have any recyclable items accidentally ended up in the general waste bin?

No items will be touched during inspections, and there are no fines or penalties involved. Residents may receive a friendly feedback flyer with handy tips in their letterbox.

Households recycling well will be in the running to win the monthly Golden Bin Award, recognising great recycling habits and rewarding residents with a small prize. More details about the award will be released in the coming months.

The program complements the Queensland Government’s broader Let’s Get It Sorted campaign and aims to make sorting simple, with an easy-to-use A–Z Recycling Guide available on Council’s website.

“Whether it’s rinsing out containers, removing lids, or keeping soft plastics out of the recycling bin, every small action adds up,” Cr Seymour said.

“We’re delivering this program with the support of the Queensland Government to help build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Fraser Coast.”

To learn more about what goes where and how to recycle better, visit www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/recycling