Residents seek change as council release waste survey results

DARWIN residents want a third bin for their green waste and would be happy to pay almost $2 extra a week for it, according to council’s waste survey results.

Survey respondents are in favour of implementing a landfill ban for recyclable materials. Picture: Keri Megelus

DARWIN residents want a third bin for their green waste and would be happy to pay almost $2 extra a week for it, according to Darwin council’s waste survey results.

Results from a True North Strategic Communication report on Darwin’s waste management strategy showed Darwin residents would prefer a third bin than just two, with 74 per cent of voters on a Facebook poll voting in favour of the bin.

“There were mixed views regarding bin services for residents, however the most popular choice among residents was a three-bin collection service for just green waste at $1.70 per week,” the report on the results said.

“The least popular option was staying with the existing two-bin collection service.”

However the third bin, designed for green waste, might not actually be a bin, with other options noted as more practical by respondents.

“Some people pointed out that wheelie bins are not as effective with holding green waste as the garden bags,” the report said.

“The reason given for this was that open garden bags were more effective at holding tropical garden waste (palm fronds) and the handling of them by the collector allowed for a more effective visual check for contamination.”

Moil resident Marcus Taylor moved up to Darwin in November and said he was shocked to find there were no green waste bins.

“It’s a bit of a no brainer honestly – I was surprised how many palm fronds fall down,” he said.

“It’s constant work, you have to grab them, you see a lot of people in their yards and they don’t have the time or money to get someone in to clear it up ... it makes sense to have one.”

Alderman Simon Niblock will bring his own motion to council on Tuesday to provide the option of a smaller bin, saying they could suit up to 20 per cent of Darwin households.

“Most households may have need for a large 240L bin, however there are many residents, for whom a 120L bin would not only be sufficient but desirable,” he said.

“Older people are likely to find a smaller bin easier to manoeuvre to and from the (kerb) each week, and other residents with small yards may appreciate a smaller bin taking up less space.”

Mr Niblock’s motion follows the consensus of the report, with a number of respondents suggesting a smaller red bin and a larger yellow bin would provide convenience and encourage positive recycling behaviours.

“Several people commented that the yellow recycle bins fill up too quickly, leading people to put recyclables in the red general waste bin,” the report said. “Adjusting the collection cycles would shift disposal behaviours and increase recycling rates.”

Changes could also come to the Shoal Bay tip. According to the survey, residents would prefer to only be able to visit the tip a certain number of times a year, than continue with the current free-for-all system or introduce a fee.

Respondents indicated concerns over increased illegal dumping, if waste disposal was made difficult or confusing but “the strongest message from the consultation is that recycling and reducing waste is an important priority”.

“Most people who live in Darwin said they already try to reduce, reuse or recycle their waste but many indicated that they felt more could be done by Council to improve waste management practices in Darwin,” the report said.

Results from the survey will be incorporated into council’s draft waste management strategy, which will be distributed to businesses and residents later this year as a part of council’s Strategic Plan.