Lismore recycles 64% of waste

LISMORE City Council has announced that for the first time it has recycled almost two thirds of residential waste.

Lismore City Council’s waste operations coordinator, Kevin Trustum said that recycling had saved over 25,000 tonnes of waste from landfill in the past year.

LISMORE City Council has announced that for the first time it has recycled almost two thirds of the waste produced by residents.

Council's waste operations coordinator, Kevin Trustum said that had saved over 25,000 tonnes of waste from landfill in the past year.

"The 64% recycling rate was an increase of close to 10% from the previous financial year and is a very significant result for the community," he said.

"The increase in recycling rates results from a reduction in commercial waste landfilled, an increase in the use of the self sorting section at the Resource Recovery Facility, and ongoing community education about waste management and recycling.

"Saving as much waste from going to landfill as possible is a strategic priority for Lismore City Council. By encouraging recycling, it is hoped that recycling rates will exceed 68% by 2014 in order to achieve NSW State Government Targets".

Mr Trustrum added that tougher environmental controls, licence conditions and the new landfill levy had made disposal of waste to landfill an increasingly expensive option.

 He said by keeping the tonnages of waste sent to landfill low, the Council had avoided having to pay the carbon tax on waste.

"The State Government landfill levy, which is paid on every tonne of waste landfilled is currently $42.40 and will exceed $80 by 2016, continuing to make recycling a more cost effective option," Mr Trustum said.

"Council is continually researching and introducing new waste minimisation and recycling programs for a low waste future."

 

The material diverted to recycling consisted of:

• 7,290 tonne of green waste & organics
• 7 tonne of hazardous chemical waste
• 33 tonne vehicle batteries (containing lead and acid)
• 740 tonne of paper and cardboard
• 5,000 tonne of recyclables (aluminium cans, plastics, steel cans)
• 1,200 tonne of scrap steel
• 16 tonne of used oil
• 380 tonne of pre-loved goods recycled through the Revolve Centre
• 1,800 tonne of timber
• 5,600 tonne of concrete, rubble, bricks and tiles
• 20 tonne of tyres
• 270 tonne of electronic waste (tv, dvd players, computers, monitors, vacuum cleaners, etc)
• 100 tonne of plasterboard
• 3 tonne of printer cartridges
• 36 tonne of window glass
• 40 tonne of polystyrene

Originally published as Lismore recycles 64% of waste