The Australian Council of Recycling says our residential waste output has increased 10 per cent since COVID-19 emerged.
And, it says, the rate of contaminated recycling has almost doubled.
Meaning, there's been an increase in people trying to recycle unsuitable items such as medical gloves, masks and most takeaway coffee cups.
The problem isn't confined to Australia.
Anecdotally, it's even worse in countries where the COVID-19 contamination rate is higher... and Personal Protection Equipment is mandatory.
