BYRON SHIRE residents have a great track record when it comes to recycling but in recent months the drivers of our bin collection trucks have noticed people are getting slack.
Lucy Wilson, Council’s Resource Recovery Education Officer, said landfill bins are often overflowing or contain material that can be recycled or put in the green organic bin.
“In 2016/17 we diverted 10,875 tonnes of material from landfill to recycling and composting through the green organics bin and I would like to think our residents could do even better this year but it seems some people are slipping into bad habits,” Ms Wilson said.
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“To get people thinking about their recycling habits Council is running an Overfull Bin campaign which will start on Monday 23 April,” she said.
“Our drivers will be inspecting landfill, recycling and green organic bins and if they are contaminated, or overfull, they will not be collected until the lids are closed and the incorrect items removed,” she said.
Stickers will be placed on the bins notifying the resident why it hasn’t been collected and when the problem has been fixed people can give Council a call and we will arrange for the bins to be collected.
“The intention is not for the bins to sit there until the next collection day, rather as soon as the problem is fixed all people need to do is call us and a truck will come and empty the bin,” Ms Wilson said.
“Sending waste to landfill is three times more expensive than recycling and composting,” she said.
“Overflowing bins create litter and make the streets look untidy and if they weigh more than 50kg the truck has difficulty lifting them,” Ms Wilson said.
“Some people may need a larger landfill bin and if this is the case they just need to call us and we will arrange it,” Ms Wilson said.
The Overfull Bin program will run from Monday 23 April – Friday 18 May and is aimed at encouraging residents and businesses to think about the waste they produce and to promote resource recovery and recycling.
“During the Overfull Bin campaign Council will also be monitoring the dumping of household and commercial waste in public bins and this incurs an on-the-spot fine of $110.
“Each household in the Byron Shire is also entitled to one free drop-off of up to 150kg of bulk waste or 500kg of green waste so there is no need to try to squeeze everything into the kerbside bins,” Ms Wilson said.
For more information call Lucy Wilson, Resource Recovery Education Officer, on 1300 652 625.