After you put recyclable items into your yellow top bin, it is collected from your verge and taken to a materials recovery facility (MRF) for sorting and separation. The sorted plastics, paper, metals and glass are sold to companies who reprocess these materials into new products.
In Perth's eastern region, all materials from yellow top bins that can currently be recycled are reprocessed into new products(PDF, 371KB). What is reprocessed from your yellow top recycling bin is affected by what is put into the bin in the first place. Recyclables should not be tied up in plastic bags because it makes sorting difficult and can lead to some recyclables being sent to landfill instead of being recycled. Keep all items in your recycling bin loose and separate, and put your empty plastic bags into your green top bin.
Be careful not to contaminate the recycling process. Most people don't realise the problems created by putting even the smallest amount of non-recyclable material into the yellow top bin. For example, a piece of ceramic as small as a coin can cause a tonne of glass to be put into landfill instead of being recycled. Rocks in the bin can get caught up in the process and break machinery. These are called contaminants, so please don't put them in your bin.
Find out more about waste and recycling services in the City of Swan, including information on bin services, drop-off days and verge collections.