New bins for organic waste and glass recycling are set to appear on Mitchell Shire kerbs by 2025, meaning council’s general rubbish collection will be fortnightly.
Council announced the changes to its waste collection services last week, in line with State Government legislation requiring Victorian councils to provide a four-bin system for all households by 2030.
The four bins will be for mixed recycling, glass recycling, food and organic waste, and general rubbish.
The introduction of a weekly food and garden organics kerbside collection will see council scale back its general rubbish collection to a fortnightly service.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Bill Chisholm said the model was successful in diverting waste from landfill after being adopted by municipalities across Victoria including the Strathbogie, Greater Shepparton, Macedon Ranges, Nillumbik, Monash, Knox, Bass Coast and Banyule councils.
“Our community have told us they want an organics kerbside service and this is a key part of council’s efforts to address the broader issue of climate change,” he said.
“We’re fortunate to be able to learn from other councils to provide the system that is likely to have the best outcomes for our environment and the best financial benefit for our community.
“Based on other councils’ experiences, a weekly food and garden organics and a fortnightly household rubbish kerbside service has the best environmental outcomes as it diverts more waste from landfill.
“We need to take action to meet our zero net emissions target.”
Cr Chisholm said landfill waste accounted for 75 per cent of Mitchell Shire Council’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The breakdown of food in landfill creates methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
A recent council audit found more than 65 per cent of kerbside waste going to landfill in Mitchell Shire could be recycled or composted, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Cr Chisholm said a separate glass recycling bin would streamline the recycling process, as broken glass could make other items like cardboard, paper and plastic difficult to recycle.
Mitchell Shire residents can submit feedback on what they want incorporated in the new four-bin system.
For more information, people can visit www.engagingmitchellshire.com.
Cost to the community. Food and garden organics should be compost at each property. I have to drive 1.7km x 4 times each week ro put my bins out. As this will incur an extra cost bins will need to be picked up at my driveway. General and food scraps bins will still need to be emptied weekly due to our animal life and the heat in the summer, it will be a health issue
That is a good question, what will the cost be to rate payers, same cost or more. If the cost is more is it a choice?
At what cost to rate payers we already pay a levy of $480 for two bins will that double