Waste education

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Our Waste Plan

In Rockingham we want to do our bit to ensure a sustainable future by reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill; in fact our Community’s Vision is: “A quality lifestyle. A sustainable future”, and it's one of our Community Aspirations to be a place of natural beauty where the environment is respected.

Resource recovery is about finding ways to recycle or reuse valuable materials that otherwise would be destined for landfill. The City's Waste Plan 2020/2021, aligns with the State Government’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 (Waste Strategy) direction to create a sustainable, low-waste, circular economy in which human health and the environment are protected from the impacts of waste.

The City annually reports to DWER on the actions committed in our Plan. 

FOGO

Did you know that almost 50% of what we put into our red bin is organic waste such as food scraps and garden clippings? On 30 June 2025, the City started a new standard waste collection service called FOGO, that will drastically improve our recycling and recovery rates. 

Find out more about FOGO

Waste education

We are committed to providing free and accessible education to our residents and businesses, including the facilitation of workshops and presentations to help you rethink your waste.

Check out resources below to help you get started.

For more information and updates on waste education, please contact the City's Environmental Education Officer on 9528 0333.

Resources for Community and Schools 

Waste Education Visits, Pop-ups and Workshops

Waste Pop-ups

Our Education Officers are out and about at different events. Find out where we will be next:

Waste Workshops

Check out our What's On Calendar for upcoming waste related workshops.

Upcoming workshops include:

  • Low-waste Christmas Workshop: Handmade Gift Tags
  • Cloth Nappy Workshop - Sustainable Parenting Program

You can also stay up-to-date with new events by subscribing to our GREEN newsletter.

Waste Education Visits

The City offers free incursions for schools, day cares and community groups within the City of Rockingham to enhance residents' understanding of recycling practices and promote waste reduction.

Sessions can be tailored for students K to year 12. We have a host of fun and engaging interactive games and provide takeaways. 

Current offerings include: 

  • What the FOGO? (45 minutes)
  • Mission: Recycle Right (50 minutes)

Looking for something more tailored on environment, sustainability or waste education? Reach out to our Environmental Education Officer.

Be a GREAT Sort!

Be a Great Sort logo.Did you know that your red-lidded general waste bin could be almost empty each week? With a bit of waste sorting at home, you could have 60 per cent less go into your general waste bin. Join Western Australians in making landfill the last resort by doing better than the bin. 

How to be a GREAT Sort?

G is for Gifting -  Gift stuff to charity, swap or sell.opens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window 

R is for Recycling - Recycle these 5: plastic, glass, cans, paper and cardboard.opens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window 

E is for Earth-cycling – Earth-cycle food scraps and garden compost.opens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window

A is for Avoiding – Avoid excess packaging and disposable containers.opens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window 

T is for Taking Take to drop-offs batteries, light globes, e-waste and chemicals. opens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window

 

Learn more about Waste Sorted – A Waste Authority programopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window and download your own stickers and posters for free. 

Buy Nothing Month - October 2025
lady sewing to repair clothing item lady sewing to repair clothing item

During October, we are focused on embracing a circular economy and living a more sustainable life through Buy Nothing New Month.

Take the time to participate by undertaking these simple actions:

  1. Commit to a no buy month.
  2. Donate or buy from your local second-hand store.
  3. Gift, sell, share or swap an item with family or friends.
  4. Avoid replacing an item and instead repair.

Find out more at Buy Nothing New Month.

WasteSorted Schools Program

The WasteSorted Schools program is run through the Waste Authority, and offers WA schools the opportunity to develop smarter waste practices through the “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” principle. The program is free to Western Australian schools and provides great support and resources to teachers with activities linked to the WA Curriculum. Schools also have the opportunity to apply for grants towards their waste wise activities.

Want to get started implementing a waste reduction project? Keep an eye out for WasteSorted Schools grants.

For further information please visit the WasteSorted Schools websiteopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window.

Waste Authority logo. <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span> <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span> <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span> <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span> <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span> <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span> <span class="sr-only">opens in a new window</span>

Recycling A-Z

Still unsure how to recycle? Here are some great resources to help:

Our A-Z Recycling Guide

We have developed a guide to allow you to better understand how to recycle different items in City of Rockingham. Download our Recycling A-Z guide below or ask for a physical copy from your local library branch. 

Recycle Right

Looking for your nearest recycling centre to drop off materials, visit:

Find My Nearest – Recycle Right 

or check out the recyling kerbside guides by visiting: 

Materials A-Z Guides on RecycleRight.

Containers for Change

Recycling your containers have never been easier! Head to Containers for Change website to find all information needed around the topic. 

 

For more resources check out the WasteSorted website for stickers and posters for your home, school or business, visit here.

Video

Recycling Made Easy: What to Bring to Millar Road Landfill and Recycling Facility

Take a trip with us through the City of Rockingham's Millar Road Landfill and Recycling Facility.

Talking My Language Kits

Get to know the new FOGO service. Our Talking My Language Kits include flashcards and mini bins to help understand what materials go in which bin.

We currently have four versions available: English, Tagalog, Chinese and Vietnamese. 

Loan Kits

Litter education

Litter is an ongoing problem faced by everyone in Western Australia. Being a source of harm to people and wildlife, it creates problems in our schools, public spaces and waterways. Areas that are highly littered tend to attract more litter, illegal dumping and even crime. 

See ways to get involved and make a collective change!

Bin It!

We're proud to support Keep Australia Beautiful Council’s Bin It campaign.

Bin it, you know it's the right thing to do!

While most people do the right thing with their rubbish, there are a lot who continue to leave litter, throw from vehicles or on the ground. Put the litter in the bin and keep maintain our beautiful state.

Get involved and bin it! Learn more in the videos below.

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Bin It - For Good

Do the right thing and put it in the bin.

Video

Bin it for good

Keep Australia Beautiful and put it in the bin.

Keep Australia Beautiful Week

Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) Weekopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window is held in August and is a time to raise awareness about the simple things we can all do in our daily lives to reduce our impact on the environment and encourage action to reduce litter.

Easy ways to participate

Do

Learn

Ready. Set. Clean up! Teach your school or family group about litter before your clean up. Download the presentationopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window.

Provided by Keep Australia Beautiful Council

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Keep Australia Beautiful Week

Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) Week is held in August and is a time to raise awareness about the simple things we can all do in our daily lives to reduce our impact on the environment and encourage action to reduce litter.

Roadside Litter Prevention Project

We're proud to support the Keep Australia Beautiful Council Roadside Litter Prevention Project to reduce litter on our roadsides.

Learn more how to preserve our beautiful country from harmful litter at the Roadside Litter Prevention Projectopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window.

Litter Act 1979

Littering in Western Australia is an offence under the Litter Act 1979opens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window

Fines for littering are defined in the Litter Regulations 1981opens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window.

The Litter Act 1979 allows for the Keep Australia Beautiful Council, local government, police and authorised officers to take action against those who litter. This action can be in the form of 'on-the-spot fines', or as reports submitted to Keep Australia Beautiful Council which may result in fines being issued to the offenders.

Not paying your fine can lead to court action or the fine being referred to the Fines Enforcement Registry who has the power to suspend your driver's licence until the fine is paid.

More information on litter finesopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window

Get involved

Clean Up Australia 

We are partnering with Clean Up Australia to assist City of Rockingham residents to dispose of their litter after their clean-up events. Get involved and learn more about how you can contribute to a cleaner City by registering your clean-up event. 

Register a clean up eventopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window

 

Adopt-a-Spot

Take positive action against littering by "adopting-a-spot" through the Keep Australia Beautiful Council. Maybe it's your favourite reserve, a walkway to school, or a local park; the Adopt-A-Spot program is easy and a great way to make a positive change towards a safer future, with free clean-up items provided.

Read more on the Keep Australia Beautiful Adopt-a-Spot websiteopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window.

Dog poo - PUP Campaign

Vector of a person disposing of dog poo in a bin.Love your dog? Pick up their poo!

Be a responsible dog owner and pick up your dog's poo. By picking up after your dog you're helping to keep our community safe, clean and enjoyable for everyone.

The City of Rockingham, along with six other local governments and the Keep Australia Beautiful Council, has teamed up to acknowledge our responsible dog owners and help everyone to do the right thing. Keep an eye out for our rangers who will be handing out thank you certificates alongside prizes for our exceptional dog owners throughout October and November.

Why it matters

  • Protect health: Dog poo can carry harmful bacteria and parasites that can make people and other animals sick.
  • Keep our community clean: No-one likes stepping in dog poo. Bagging and binning it keeps our parks, streets, and public areas clean and enjoyable for everyone.
  • Protect the environment: Dog poo left on the ground can pollute waterways and harm wildlife. 

 

How to be a responsible dog owner

  • Always carry poo bags
  • Ensure you have enough bags before leaving the house
  • Keep a stash of bags in your car, pockets and dog walking gear or use ones provided on public bins

 

Set a good example

Vector of a person walking about to step in dog poo.What if there isn't a bin nearby? 

If there is no bin available, take the bagged poo home and dispose of it in your household waste bin.

Why can't I leave it to decompose naturally?

Dog poo can contain harmful bacteria and parasites that don't break down quickly and can contaminate the   environment.

What kind of bags should I use?

Use compostable bags to minimise environmental impact.

To learn more about keeping pets and animals in the City of Rockingham, including helping to protect our  native animals, please visit our Pets and Animals pageopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new windowopens in a new window

 

PUP Campaign Facebook Competition

In November 2024, City of Rockingham residential dog owners who pledge to PUP (Pick Up Poo after their dog) are eligible to enter a competition to win one of two dog goodie bags. Each bag contains the following:

  • Dog soap
  • Woofing Wonders dog treats
  • Keep Australia Beautiful doo bag dispenser
  • Dog toy
  • Whags and Whisky tag

Entering the competition is simple. Just go to City of Rockingham Facebook pageopens in a new window and find the PUP Campaign post. To enter the competition go to the comment section of the post, post a photo of your dog and write “I pledge to PUP”.

Terms and conditions apply. Learn more in the related documents below. 

 

The campaign was made possible by City of Rockingham, Keep Australia Beautifulopens in a new window and Community Litter Grants | Western Australian Governmentopens in a new window.

PUP funding partners logo.

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