Shock SKM shutdown and what it means for Banyule

More than 30 councils have been left scrambling to pick up the pieces after the abrupt SKM Recycling shutdown. But how is it affecting ratepayers in Banyule?

Visy will continue to recycle for the few councils who do not use SKM.

Banyule has avoided the recycling crisis gripping the state following the closure of waste giant SKM Recycling.

More than 30 municipalities are affected by the shock closure, with Nillumbik, Hume, Knox and Darebin among them.

In a poll conducted by Heidelberg Leader, 40 out of 55 people believed the SKM shut down would affect Banyule’s recycling.

However, Visy Industries handles Banyule’s recycling waste and the council’s chief executive Simon McMillan said it would be business as usual.

“Our collections and recycling processes are continuing as normal,” Mr McMillan said.

The council has urged residents to be vigilant with their waste as the correct disposal is crucial to recycling. Paper and cardboard make up 40 per cent of household recyclables.

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Glass bottles, newspapers and cardboard, aluminium and steel cans (including aerosol cans and clean foil), plastic containers with numbers one to seven, and milk and juice cartons can all be recycled.

Containers do not have to be rinsed but must be empty, and plastic bottles must have their lids on.

Broken glass, polystyrene, soft plastics and food waste cannot be recycled.