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Recycling service gets rolling in city

Toxfree launched its residential recycling program earlier this month. File picture.

Toxfree launched its residential recycling program earlier this month, rolling out the first household collection service in the City of Karratha.

A weekly or fortnightly pick-up service is available in Dampier, Karratha, Roebourne,Point Samson and Wickham.

The waste is sent to the Toxfree Pilbara Resource Recovery Centre, where it is sorted, baled and shipped to recycling centres.

Karratha depot spokeswoman Rozzi Klomp said Toxfree was excited to bring the program to the public.

"Previously, Toxfree has been recycling in the Pilbara for major contractors," she said.

"We just launched the collection service to the public.

"We've got around 25 recycle bins at residential houses around town now.

"We also have our recycling collection points in Dampier and Wickham which the public are able to drop their waste to."

Ms Klomp said Toxfree was collecting paper, cardboard, milk cartons and aluminium cans, but not glass.

"We hope in the future once the program takes off that we will be able to provide that service," she said.

"We have been collecting the Government rebates for all of the recycling to donate to the Royal Flying Doctor Service - so far we have donated over $43,000."

Ms Klomp said Toxfree had been working with the City of Karratha and hoped to make the service more widespread.

City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long said the council had not been able to provide a household service previously because of the high cost of running the service.

"Household recycling is extremely expensive and with the nearest glass processing plant in Adelaide, there is currently no way of properly processing material that is cost effective," he said.

"While we already recycle a huge amount of industrial material through our tips, we understand household recycling is really important to the community, so we have included collection areas as part of the 7 Mile Tip upgrade.

"Last year, the City recycled nearly 5000 tonnes of concrete, steel, lead acid batteries and oil which would have gone to landfill."

For more information on the residential recycling program, contact Toxfree on 9185 5333.