Hume’s pop-up recycling initiative collects two truckloads on first day

Hume’s new free pop-up recycling initiative at Craigieburn got off to such a popular start that council workers were left scrambling to transport items. More than two truckloads of cardboard, plastic containers and glass bottles were diverted from landfill.

Northern Community Recycling Group’s Ann Williams (right) with Hume residents diverting their recyclables from landfill during the city's first fortnightly pop-up collection day at Craigieburn. Picture: Supplied

Hume’s new free pop-up recycling initiative has got off to a flying start with more than two truckloads of materials diverted from landfill.

The popularity of the fortnightly collection drive — which got underway at Craigieburn Sports Stadium on Sunday — saw council workers scrambling to get a second truck to transport it.

The initiative — to be held every second Sunday — is partnership between the Northern Community Recycling Group and Hume Council.

MORE: WASTE-TO-ENERGY PLANT PROPOSED FOR HUME

Hume residents divert their recyclables from landfill during the city's first fortnightly pop-up collection day at Craigieburn. Picture: Supplied

It aims gives locals an opportunity to avoid sending their recyclables to landfill until the processing of kerbside recycling resume.

The group’s Ann Williams said the final count was two truckloads, about 20 wheelie bins and the back of their car.

That included:

■ Two trucks and 10 wheelie bins of cardboard and paper.

■ 13 wheelie bins of milk, cream, yoghurt, margarine and ice cream containers (number one, two and five plastics).

■ Two wheelie bins of glass bottles and jars.

■ ¾ of a wheelie bin of tins and cans.

■ ½ a wheelie bin of aluminium cans.

■ One box of milk bottle tops and one box of can pull rings.

■ Two boxes of dish washing containers and one box of aluminium foil.

■ ½ a tub of toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes and ½ a tub of pens, textas and highlighters.

Ms Williams said they also collected a substantial amount of metal.

Volunteer Steve Chenhall and Our Lady’s Primary School teacher Emily at Hume’s first fortnightly pop-up collection day at Craigieburn. Picture: Supplied

Hume residents divert their recyclables from landfill during the city's first fortnightly pop-up collection day at Craigieburn. Picture: Supplied

She said it was a fantastic start and was great to share their recycling knowledge with the community.

“Just a reminder that recyclables must be clean and dry to prevent bacterial and fungal exposure for anyone handling them,” Ms Williams said.

Hume Mayor Carly Moore said the pop-up station would provide residents with another option for their recyclable materials.

MORE NORTHERN NEWS:

FAMILY HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES TO ENTERTAIN KIDS IN HUME

AIRPORT WEST ROAD RAGE ACCUSED LEARNS FATE

BURGLARY CRACKDOWN EARNS HUME COPS TOP AWARD

“While our immediate priority throughout this time has been to maintain the kerbside collection service, we understand many residents are seeking an alternative to ensure their recyclables are processed,” she said.

Cr Moore said Hume residents could also drop off clean and sorted aluminium and steel cans, paper and cardboard to the Campbellfield and Sunbury tips between 8am-4pm.

The next pop-up collection day at the Craigieburn Sports Stadium will be held on October 6 and continue every second Sunday from 9am to midday until further notice.

For more information visit hume.vic.gov.au/popuprecycling.

[e-mail]