Colac Otway Shire contractor Wheelie Waste finds temporary recycling solution

KERBSIDE recycling will not be taken to landfill in the Colac Otway Shire after a temporary agreement was struck with a contractor.

Colac Otway shire recycling will not go to landfill. Picture: iStock

KERBSIDE recycling will not be taken to landfill in the Colac Otway Shire after a temporary agreement was struck with a contractor.

Colac Otway Shire infrastructure and leisure services general manager Tony McGann said the agreement stopped 85 tonnes of recyclables going to landfill.

“Council’s waste contractor Wheelie Waste has been able to take Colac Otway’s recyclable material to its own contracted recycler as an interim measure while SKM has been unable to accept recyclables at its Geelong plant,” Mr McGann said.

“The cost of depositing the material through Wheelie Waste’s contractor rather than sending the recyclables to landfill saved council about $6000.

“Council is hopeful that its interim recycling arrangement will continue until SKM ­reopens its Geelong plant however this is unconfirmed.

“The SKM closures have emphasised the need for everyone to continue reducing waste and packaging, even if it can be recycled.

“Separating our waste is essential but as consumers we need to make smarter choices to reduce the amount of material and packaging that needs to be recycled as well as buying recycled goods whenever we can to make sure there is a market for our recyclable material.”

The Colac Otway Shire’s deal comes after the EPA ordered SKM in South Geelong to stop accepting municipal recycling last month.

The Municipal Association of Victoria has urged the State Government to provide funding relief to councils affected by the SKM closures.

“With more than half a billion dollars of unspent landfill levy income sitting in the sustainability fund, the Victorian Government has the means to both support councils in the short term and to drive meaningful change to the system for the longer term,” the MAV’s action plan states.

MAV president Coral Ross said Victoria’s recycling system was broken.

“The current crisis is primarily due to Australia’s unsustainable levels of waste generation and market failure,’’ Cr Ross said.

“There are no quick-fix solutions. However it’s clear urgent action is needed by all levels of government together with the Waste and Resource Recovery Boards, industry, business and individual consumers.’’

— WITH IAN ROYALL

Originally published as Colac Otway Shire contractor Wheelie Waste finds temporary recycling solution