Hume Council says regular bin collection to continue after SKM closure

The closure of controversial waste giant SKM has affected more than 30 councils. Hume Council says it is examining the implications of the fallout, as it promises recycling collections will continue as normal.

SKM Recycling has been forced to close. Picture: David Caird

Hume Council will send all recycling material to landfill while it considers the ramifications of the closure of waste giant SKM Recycling.

Last week, the Supreme Court Judicial Registrar Julian Hetyey granted an application to wind up the company, declaring it insolvent after it failed to meet the deadline to pay its creditors.

On July 26, SKM had temporarily stopped accepting any material at its three sites, including Coolaroo.

The decision affects more than 30 councils Victoria-wide which have a contract with the recycling sorting facility operator.

The council’s sustainable infrastructure and services director Peter Waite said their recycling collections equated to about 7600 bins every weekday.

However, he said the closure of SKM would have no effect on the regular bin collection.

“While there is no change to normal recycling collection schedules, recycling material will be

redirected to landfill,” Mr Waite said.

“Council is seeking further advice about its existing contract, as well as working with the

Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group (MWRRG) to understand the

implications of the Supreme Court order issued to SKM on Friday, August 2.”

This comes after the rogue recycling business was told to compensate residents over the 2017 Coolaroo fire.

Firefighters fight the Coolaroo recycling plant fire in July 15, 2017. Picture: David Crosling

SKM was ordered to pay $1.2 million to more than 200 people affected by a fire, which burned for 11 days.

The inferno started on July 13, 2017 when a blaze broke out in a rubbish pile at SKM’s Maffra St site.

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Hundreds of nearby residents were urged to evacuate due to concerns over poor air quality, and 11 people required hospital treatment.

Castor Murillo, who was the lead plaintiff, said it was a great outcome.

“Many of us are still suffering the impacts of the fire, and this settlement will help to alleviate some of the pressures that we have been facing since this happened in 2017,” Mr Murillo said.

“It was an awful experience, but today’s outcome will serve to lessen some of the hardships that we have faced since the event.”