MITCHELL Shire’s new four-bin system commences next week. Here’s what you need to know:
The four-bin system is a State Government mandated order that will see all 79 councils in Victoria adopt the system by 2030. It involves the introduction of a food and organics bin and a glass recycling bin alongside the existing mixed recycling and general rubbish bins.
Council recognises that many residents in the Mitchell Shire already compost and encourages them to continue, utilising the food and organics waste bin for difficult-to-compost items such as citrus and onion peels, meat and fish scraps (including shells), eggshells, dairy products, noxious weeds, and insect-infested plants.
Organic waste may be bagged, but only in lime green-coloured compostable caddy liners stamped AS4736 and AS5810, which can be purchased from major supermarkets.
Residents are not required to wash recyclables before placing them in their respective bins, but may do so if they prefer to minimise odours.
Contrary to popular belief, not all glass is equal, and therefore not all glass can be recycled. The glass recycling bin can accept soda-lime glass, which is the most common type of glass used for containers, beer bottles, jam jars, and pasta jars. It has a simple composition that allows it to be easily melted down and remade into new glass products, which makes it highly recyclable.
Pyrex, mirrors, and drinking glasses, however, are often made from borosilicate glass, and/or contain additional coatings (such as reflective silver) and treatments (such as tempering). These characteristics require a different recycling process which is currently unavailable for shire residents and should therefore be placed in the general rubbish bin.
Mitchell Shire Mayor Councillor John Dougall encouraged residents to embrace the well-known 90s’ slogan, ‘Do the right thing, use the right bin.’
“We urge residents to sort waste correctly by placing items in the appropriate bins,” he said.
“These bins are collected from the kerbside and taken to recycling facilities. Mixed recycling and glass recycling are sorted as part of the process.
“Food and garden organics are also sorted on a conveyor belt before being turned into valuable compost. General rubbish is taken directly to landfill.”
Council has developed a range of tools to help make the transition for residents and businesses as smooth as possible. The My Mitchell app offers a personalised bin collection calendar and handy bin night reminders. Kerbside bin collection schedules can also be accessed via www.mitchellshire.vic.gov.au/waste.
Printed calendars of the new collection days will also be sent to properties, and be available at council’s customer service desks and libraries.
The four-bin system will commence March 1. For more information, contact council on 03 5734 6200.
