Mitchell Shire Council is set to introduce a new four-bin system, commencing next year in March.
Following directions given by the State Government that requires all Victorian councils to provide a four-bin system by 2030, the new system will see the introduction of a new bin for food and garden organics and a glass recycling bin included alongside the existing general waste and mixed recycling bins.
In a decision that has upset many residents, the 120L general waste bin will move to be collected fortnightly, alternating with the 240L mixed recycling bin, with no plans to increase the former bin’s current size. Glass recycling will be collected monthly in a 120L bin, while the food and organic waste bin will be collected weekly in a 120L bin.
However, Mitchell Shire Council welcomed the new system, stating that the service model had already been successfully implemented in surrounding councils, including City of Greater Bendigo, Shire of Strathbogie, and Shire of Macedon Ranges, diverting much waste from landfill.
“Kerbside waste collected in the general rubbish bin is sent to landfill. Landfill emissions accounts for 75 per cent of Mitchell Shire Council’s greenhouse gas emissions,” Council said.
“When food breaks down in landfill it creates methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Recycling food and garden organics is one of the single biggest opportunities for us all to reduce our emissions.
“By using a food and garden organics bin, food scraps and garden clippings will be processed into nutrient rich compost that can be returned to our soils, reducing waste to landfill and support a local circular economy.
“Lawn clippings, leaves, and various food items, including dairy, meat, and bones, can all be accepted in the new food and garden organics bin. Once collected from the kerbside, the organic material will be transported to Repurpose It in Epping and turned into valuable compost.”
Mitchell Shire Acting Mayor Nathan Clark stated that the decision, though directed by legislation, was also based on community feedback.
“Our community has been asking for a food and garden organics service and we’re pleased to be rolling this out next year,” he said.
“We’re in a fortunate position where we can learn from other councils that have already introduced the four-bins, so we can provide a service that is likely to have the best outcomes for our environment and the best financial benefit for our community.
“Council sought community input on the service through a survey in October/November 2022 and received over 760 survey responses, with a clear community desire for a food and garden organics kerbside service and a call for local climate change action. Following the survey, a kerbside transition community reference group was established in 2023.
“The average general rubbish bin contains [66 per cent] of food and garden organics, so by placing food and garden organics into our new bin, there will be more space in general rubbish bins, making the transition to a fortnightly collection easier.”
However, locals disagreed with the ‘easier’ sentiment, taking to Facebook to voice their concerns about the size and potential smell of the general waste bin, particularly during summer, if residents must wait two weeks for its pickup.
“Good luck to young families who have bubs in nappies!” shared one user.
“Gross. Can imagine the smell in summer after two weeks of rubbish,” shared another.
Other users shared fears that cases of illegal rubbish dumping would increase.
“Watch how much more rubbish will be dumped in the Shire,” commented one local.
“Lots more dumping going to happen,” commented another.
An online petition has since begun to urge Council to reconsider the proposed fortnightly collection, receiving over 700 signatures.
However, despite the community’s negative feedback, it is unlikely that the proposed schedule will change as Council have since stated that the new kerbside collection contract will only allow for a fortnightly collection – but residents will continue to rally for change, and welcome new signatures.
The cost of the new bins will be included in the waste service charge for the 2024/25 year, with a slight increase in the waste service charge for the 2025/26 financial year to cover the new services.
Residents will receive detailed information on how to use the new food and garden organics bin and glass recycling bin prior to March 2025. Until then, households are advised to continue using their current kerbside collection system as normal.
Assistance for larger and additional bins will be provided for large households of six or more residents, and residents with medical waste.
For more information on the new system, visit www.mitchellshire.vic.gov.au/bins. To sign the petition, visit www.bit.ly/4c5ESQV.
