Improvements to waste services are on the way!

Over the past 12 months the Shire has been looking into ways to improve the way our waste is managed and reduce the amount of waste being sent to landfill.

Recommendations have been adopted by Council and new initiatives will start to be rolled out across the Shire.

Major changes to waste services:

1. From July 2019, the Shire will introduce a compulsory new collections system with 3 bins:

· A 240 litre bin for recyclables collected fortnightly;

· A 240 litre bin for food and organic waste (FOGO) collected weekly; and

· A 140 litre general waste bin for any remaining waste collected fortnightly. It is the waste from this bin only that will be transported to landfill.

2. The Shire will progressively transition the layout and facilities at the Davis Road site to a Waste Transfer and Recycling Centre to allow better separation of waste streams:

· Recyclable material – glass, plastics, metals, cardboard

· Green waste – residential and commercial from prunings and clearing

· Hazardous and problematic waste – tyres, oil, car bodies and parts, polystyrene, paint and batteries.

· General waste. It is this general waste material that will be transported to landfill.

3. For commercial, construction & demolition waste; the Shire will promote greater segregation of this waste stream and will increase gate fees for unsegregated loads.

4. To investigate alternative disposal options for the residents who use the waste transfer stations at Alexandra Bridge and Rosa Brook.

5. Strong branding and extensive education will be undertaken to encourage everyone to separate waste materials into three categories, organics, recyclables and general waste. The Shire’s aim is to produce clean waste streams with less than 2-3% of contamination. Low contamination levels will support recovery of all reusable materials, particularly organics, and minimise waste to landfill.

6. The Shire will introduce complementary programs to encourage waste reduction.

· Food waste reduction

· Sustainable business programs

· Contamination awareness

· Ratepayer feedback

· Community education