Less waste created in Rockingham

A reduction in waste generated by residents in Rockingham could be the result of changing attitudes, Naragebup Rockingham Regional Environment Centre chairwoman Alexis Grayson says.

Ms Grayson believes the education of children on the importance of sustainability had contributed to a reduction of more than 1500 tonnes of waste collected by City of Rockingham last year.

She said she believed targeting the next generation about recycling and protecting the environment was vital in further reducing waste.

"Because this message is widely circulated among children within the community, it looks like the kids are encouraging older relatives to really look at what they are throwing away," she said.

"Naragebup runs programs during summer holidays, which offers recycled arts and crafts and other activities to reinforce the sustainability message."

Rockingham Mayor Barry Sammels said recycling rates during the past financial year had remained much the same, but the total household waste collected had decreased by 1500 tonnes, despite a growing population.

Mr Sammels said it cost the City less than $20 to process one tonne of recyclables, but almost $100 to send a tonne of waste to landfill.

"Clearly, the more recyclable waste that can be diverted from landfill, the lower the cost of waste disposal to the City overall," he said.

WA Environment Minister Albert Jacob said recycling of metropolitan household waste increased from 39 to 45 per cent between 2011 and 2014.