Bins encourage public recycling

Recycling is not something Dunedin people have to do in the privacy of their own homes any more.

Public displays of recycling are being actively encouraged by the Dunedin City Council with 59 "LoveNZ" bins set aside for adventurous people.

Disposing of used cans or bottles in common rubbish bins used to be the dirty little secret of otherwise responsible people.

That all changed around the time of the Rugby World Cup, when the LoveNZ campaign of public recycling was launched.

"It's a Karma Thing" is now the slogan as the drive for higher participation rates in public recycling becomes the focus of a six-week, national campaign.

Mayor Dave Cull said the council had installed public recycling bins well before the Rugby World Cup and there was a demand for them from many people.

"It is a matter of linking people's desire with the facilities to do it."

Plastic and aluminium were particularly useful to recycle because they had a value, Mr Cull said.

"They should not be going into the landfill because they are worth something."

He said a huge amount of waste had already been diverted from the landfill thanks to the actions of residents using their recycle bins.

Public recycling was another way to help.