Council will this summer commence the delivery of a more efficient, reliable and locally-focussed kerbside waste and recycling service that will reduce waste going to landfill.
The new service will focus on long term and sustainable solutions to future proof Hobsons Bay’s recycling following the challenges presented by the recycling crisis, which included the closure of SKM Recycling earlier this year.
Mayor of Hobsons Bay Cr Jonathon Marsden said Council is responding decisively to the recycling crisis with a redesigned program that will introduce a separated recycling system to improve the quality of local recycling and introduce a healthier financial bottom line, providing better value to the entire community.
“We will soon introduce new bins to all households to recycle glass independently of other products on a monthly collection schedule. The simple act of separating glass from other materials drastically improves the quality of all recyclable material,” said Cr Marsden.
“We will also introduce a new food organics, garden organics (FOGO) system collected weekly in the existing green bins expanded to all households. This will repurpose organic waste, reducing landfill volumes and harmful greenhouse gas emissions that negatively impact the environment.”
Food waste including fruits and vegetables, eggshells and bones, rice and pasta, seafood, and even food spoiled paper will be composted by processors to create fertiliser and soil improver.
Other points of difference as part of the new system include some changes on items collected in the yellow lid recycling bins collected fortnightly, as well as the rubbish collection changing from weekly to fortnightly.
Cr Marsden said the new system will ensure Council will be better positioned to manage any future issues or unforeseen complications in the recycling industry.
“We are particularly excited to introduce a system that will result in strong partnerships with local suppliers who, like us, are committed to a more sustainable Hobsons Bay,” said Cr Marsden.
“Our passionate community is also ready and willing to participate in Council’s recycling efforts. We are looking forward to forming a volunteers group to champion the new model and help us improve recycling in Hobsons Bay.
“This program is just one of the ways we are reducing our effects on climate change – and we have faith our community will do the same.
“We encourage everyone to think about your own environmental impact in your daily life and reduce your own environmental footprint through the four R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, and then Recycle.
“Simple actions can make a world of difference, such as: saying no to all single use plastics, including shopping bags; purchasing items with the least amount of packaging (making sure packaging is recyclable in our new system); repairing and reusing all household items possible; and opting for environmentally friendly household products.
“We are committed to supporting our community in doing whatever we can to keep valuable resources out of landfill and to progress closer to a truly circular economy.”
