Ipswich City Council backflips on decision to axe recycling

LESS than two days after announcing it would be dumping its recyclables into landfill, Ipswich City Council is now pursuing an alternative solution.

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LESS than two days after announcing it would be dumping its recyclables into landfill, Ipswich City Council has revealed it will now be trying to employ a short-term contractor as an interim solution to the problem.

Ipswich Mayor Andrew Antoniolli made the announcement this afternoon following a backlash from the State Government and other community stakeholders.

The Courier-Mail revealed on Wednesday council was scrapping its yellow-top-bin recycling program after it was told by contractors it would have to cough up an extra $2 million every year.

The cost largely flowed from a Chinese decision to stop importing the world’s recyclables.

Contamination rates were also branded as unacceptably high, with about 50 per cent of everything placed in the yellow top bins deemed to be non-recyclable.

It is understood the council will now be using provisions in the Local Government Act to arrange a short-term recycling contract that could last between three to six months.

Cr Antoniolli said the measure was an interim solution, and urged residents to start using their bins properly to improve contamination rates in yellow top bins.

“At present there are quite simply too many pizza boxes, plastic bags, burger wrappers and other items not fit for recycling,” he said.

“This has never been an issue solely of money.”