The sharp rise in non-recycled waste has prompted local councils to ask more powers to fine households who repeatedly fail to recycle properly.
Some councils have said that they're unable to take 1 in 5 recycling bins, because people are putting the wrong things in them and contaminating the recycleable products.
A Rocha has called for packaging to more clearly state whether it's recycleable or not, and for councils to be given more funding to deal with waste in an environmentally-friendly way.
It's Director of Conservation Andy Lester told Premier: "Everything that's thrown in the ground sits there. Some of that material will leak chemicals and leak gasses. Those gasses will increase the carbon dioxide concentration. Methane's another one that is release and methane is a far more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and of course the incineration process as well releases gasses.
"If something is not recyclable it needs to be clearly labelled as such. So if there's a simpler labelling system that would make the job of households much easier, and there should then be legislation around labelling.
"Local councils have got to see more money come in from central government and invested in waste and recycling, because it's such an important area... Like a lot of things the environment tends to get pushed out when budget squeezes come along."
Listen to Premier's Aaron James speaking to Andy Lester here:
