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Parliament of Australia Department of Parliamentary Services
Information Circular No:
2008/10
Date:
14 March 2008
TO: SENATORS, MEMBERS AND OTHER BUILDING OCCUPANTS
The co-mingled recycling scheme-results so far I would like to thank all work areas that have joined in the co-mingled 1 recycling scheme. 2 Since 4 February 2008, DPS has offered co-mingled recycling facilities to all suites and other work areas in Parliament House. To date the following areas have joined the scheme: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) 32 Senate work areas 10 House of Representatives work areas; 13 Ministerial suites; 28 DPS work areas; and one Press Gallery office.
3 I n addition to these work areas, co-mingling bins have also been placed in all communal kitchens and lunch rooms. Problems with contamination
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The co-mingled recycling bin is the same colour and size as the rubbish 4 and recycled paper bins. The easiest way to distinguish the bins is to remember that the co-mingled recycling bin has a blue bin liner, the rubbish bin has a white bin liner and the recycled paper bin has no liner.
5 Since the scheme began, plenty of co-mingled material has been collected from suites and work areas-enough to fill more than five 1,100L skips. However, the following non-recyclable items are still being found in the material collected:
(a) (b) (c) (d)
paper towels; plastic cutlery; food waste; tissues; and
( e ) tea bags.
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These items cannot be recycled and should be placed in the rubbish bin.
I f the contents of co-mingled bins are contaminated with general rubbish, 7 the co-mingled materials collected may not be able to be recycled.
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Circular No. 2008/10 Co-mingled recycling scheme-results so far What can go in the co-mingled recycling bin? 8 Suitable materials are: (a) (b) (c) (d) 9 glass; tetra paks (milk and juice cartons); steel tins and aluminium cans; and all rigid plastic.
Rigid plastics are plastics that pass the "scrunch" test: (a) (b)
if you scrunch something and it springs back to its original form then it can be recycled;
if it does not spring back into its original form it cannot be recycled.
For example, consider a Tim Tam packet-the inner tray can be recycled because it springs back to form after being scrunched. The outer packaging does not and should be placed in a bin marked "Rubbish"..
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Building occupants should continue to use the paper recycling bins t o dispose of paper waste.
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How to sign up 12 A representative from an office deciding to participate in the scheme can sign up by contacting their relevant support services: (a) (b) (c) (d) Department of the Senate: Black Rod's Office on extn 3500 or email BlackRod.Sen@aph.aov.au; Department of the House of Representatives: Serjeant-at-Arms' Office on extn 4889 or email serieantatarms.re~s@aDh.sov.au; Ministerial Wing Support on extn 6087 or email stephen.frost@finance.qov.au; or DPS and other tenants: Strategic Planning and Policy section on extn 5173 or email d~s-environment@a~h.aOv.au.
13 DPS also offers personal co-mingled bins, however it is the responsibility of the individual to empty this bin into the communal work area bin.
For inquires please contact Clare Lonergan on extn 5173 or email 14 ~~s.environment@a~h.aov.au.
David Kenny Acting Secreta