Council may use four bin model to recycle in the future as SKM shuts gates

Residents may be forced to use a fourth bin as councils scramble to find a solution to the waste crisis, which will see almost 1000 trucks dumping recycling into Victorian landfills this week. Which councils will be hit?

Householders could be forced to use a fourth bin for recycling paper and cardboard to deal with Victoria’s waste crisis.

Almost 1000 trucks of recycling are bound for landfill this week after embattled recycling giant SKM announced it would cease accepting the waste, effective immediately.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal at least one council is considering providing residents the extra bin for paper and cardboard because the material can still be salvaged despite the waste woes.

Glass and plastics — which are having to be dumped — would stay in the traditional recycling bin.

Geelong mayor Bruce Harwood has said the municipality could lead the state in recycling, with a four-bin model.

The 120-litre bin would most likely be collected once a month, Cr Harwood said.

Paper and cardboard make up 40 per cent of household recyclables.

If you thought three bins are too many to mange, a new plan could see another bin added to households.

Geelong Council said the idea could be a local response to a national recycling crisis.

“This may be a useful option in co-ordination with recycling hubs for other materials such as glass, which makes up 30 per cent of recyclables,’’ it said.

“The bins would be picked up from the kerbside as normal.”

The plan could be implemented “with some urgency” in response to the SKM crisis, but may also be continued as a long-term recycling solution, the council said.

SKM has until Friday morning to pay its debts, which include $3.358 million to Tasman Logistics, or face being wound up.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal other creditors include WorkSafe which is owed more than $1 million for insurance and the MFB, which billed SKM more than $18,000 for false fire alarms.

MORE NEWS:

INSURANCE COST BLOWOUT THREATENS CLADDING REPAIRS

SUPERMARKET BLITZ ON COLES LITTLE SHOP CHEATS

3AW BREAKFAST STAR’S UNLUCKY IRISH ENCOUNTER

SKM spokesman Rob Spence last night said the company was still weighing up its options but was hopeful an investor, partner or buyer could yet emerge for the business.

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley ruled out a Commonwealth intervention.

While the federal government had committed $167 million to increasing the nation’s recycling capacity, the states were responsible for waste management, she said.

“We will work with them in setting national policy direction,” Ms Ley said.

Geelong Council is considering residents using their existing recycling bin for paper and cardboard only as a short-term fix to reduce waste.

Glass and plastics would have to be taken to local recycling hubs.

[e-mail]

@mandy_squires