SKM recycling crisis: Nillumbik Council works through solutions

It’s the recycling crisis that has plagued the entire state, but what can ratepayers in Nillumbik expect to happen to their waste and what can be done to keep items going to landfill at a minimum? Here’s all you need to know.

Nillumbik Council is urging residents like Steve Yarosz from St Andrews to only take their recycling bins out when they’re completely full, minimising the recyclable waste going to landfill.

All recycling across Nillumbik will again be sent to landfill next week as the council scrambles to find a solution for its ratepayers.

It comes after Victorian waste giant SKM Recycling was ordered to cease operations last week, when it failed to meet a deadline to pay its creditors.

All recyclable waste has been sent to landfill across the municipality since July 25 when SKM notified Nillumbik Council it would “temporarily stop receiving recyclable materials at all its facilities until further notice”.

But council spokesman Mitch Grayson told the Leader SKM had indicated plans to reopen its facilities.

“Council is currently working through the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group to clarify the duration of the temporary closure of SKM’s processing facilities,” he said.

“The capacity of alternative facilities in the north of Melbourne is limited.

“At this stage SKM, while temporarily closed, has indicated that it is working to recommence receiving recycling.”

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Meanwhile, Mr Grayson encouraged homeowners to take recycling bins out for collection only once completely full, keeping recyclable items going to landfill at a minimum.

Mr Grayson also suggested residents take soft plastics to Coles and Woolworths for recycling through REDcycle and to use the council’s Recycling and Recovery Centre at 290 Yan Yean Rd in Plenty.

Recycling paper, cardboard, metals such as cans, aluminium foil, pots and pans, and e-waste can all be processed at the centre.

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