Brimbank Council has introduced paper and cardboard recycling drop-off points to support residents to continue to recycle while kerbside recycling services are impacted by the temporary closure of SKM Recycling.
Brimbank Mayor, Cr Lucinda Congreve said Council had introduced two paper and cardboard drop-off points for residents this week, and was exploring other potential drop-off locations and other measures to support the community while recycling services are disrupted.
“This is a hugely frustrating time for the community and for Council.
“The temporary closure of SKM means that, until further notice, any recyclable material collected via the kerbside recycling service will go to landfill.
“We know many people in our community go to great efforts to recycle right, so we understand this situation is very disappointing.
“To support our community to continue recycling where possible, residents now have the option to drop off clean paper and cardboard at our Resource Recovery Centre in Keilor Park, or at One Paper in Laverton.
“To make it easier for community members to drop off recyclable paper and cardboard, we’ve extended the opening hours at our Resource Recovery Centre.
“We’re also looking at other potential drop-off locations for paper and cardboard, as well as other measures we can put in place to support our community through this time, and minimise the amount of recyclable materials going to landfill,” Cr Congreve said.
Cr Congreve said there were many simple ways for residents to minimise the amount of recyclable materials in their kerbside recycling bin.
“Newspaper can be ripped up and added to compost bins, you can reuse glass jars within your home and think about whether a nearby kindergarten or child care centre are accepting cardboard boxes for art and craft activities.
“Many supermarkets also accept soft plastics for recycling.
“But most importantly is that we start to rethink the single use packaging we purchase and bring into our homes – can you go without it or buy the same thing without packaging using your own container?”, Cr Congreve said.
Brimbank is one of 33 councils contracted to SKM for the processing of its recyclable material.
Council has been working with the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group which manages Council’s contract with SKM, on immediate options, as well as long term solutions to manage recycling services for local households.
“At this time there is no other viable option for the short term storage and management of our city’s recyclable material, and there is very limited capacity in metro Melbourne and further afield for the processing of recycling, however we are working hard to find any available options for our recyclables.
“In the meantime Council’s kerbside recycling collection service will continue – with recyclable material being directed to landfill.
“We encourage any households with a recycling bin that is not full to consider storing their recycling where possible and look at other ways to minimise their waste,” Cr Congreve said.
