You must recycle – it’s vital!

• Please separate your recyclables and put them in the yellow-top bins.
• Do not tie up recycling in plastic bags – empty straight into yellow-top bins.
• All plastic containers, cardboard, paper, glass and aluminium go in the recycling.
• Tip out any liquids before putting containers in the recycling or rubbish bins.
• Set up your own recycling station on your boats – or take your waste home with you.
• Any other material, including food contaminated wrappers, polystyrene and plastic wrap, goes into the red-top bins.
• All rubbish and recycling is removed from Rottnest Island by barge and is treated on the mainland.
• A portion of the red-top bins’ rubbish is composted – that is why it is important to separate all recycling out first as any plastic or glass makes it difficult to create usable compost.
• Proceeds from the recycling goes to charity via Ruggies – the Flying Doctors and Princess Margaret Hospital. 

A new transfer station, constructed at the site of the existing landfill, was commissioned in September, 2006, which provides for bulking of all waste and recyclables for transport by barge to the mainland for further processing and resource recovery.

New trucks have been purchased including two new collection vehicles and a hook lift truck to move the 30 m³ bulk bins to and from the barge.

Recycling bins along with rubbish bins are now provided in each accommodation unit and 105 public recycling stations throughout the island have been upgraded with new bins and stickers.

The range of products able to be recovered for recycling has been expanded to include:

• Aluminium and steel cans.
• Cartons – milk and juice.
• Glass bottles and jars.
• Paper, newsprint and cardboard.
• Plastic containers – soft drink, water, milk, juice, detergent and shampoo.

Other initiatives include the introduction of office paper recycling at all Rottnest Island Authority offices, police station, school and nurses outpost.

All commercial premises separate recyclables and cooking oil and now have balers for compacting cardboard, plastic shrink wrap and film prior to export.

Rottnest is committed to reducing the use of disposable plastic bags on the island by urging visitors to:

• Use the free home delivery service provided by the local supermarkets.
• Reuse the shopping bag provided at check in.
• Reuse plastics bags.
• Use backpacks or a bike basket.
• Use heavy duty re-useable souvenir bags available at the Gift Shop or Bike Hire.