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LILYDALE & YARRA VALLEY EXPRESS EDITION
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WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2024
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WASTE DIVERTED FROM LANDFILL
■ The Yarra Ranges community has been congratulated for diverting 40 per cent of waste away from landfill following the first six months of changes to the waste collection service. Yarra Ranges Shire Councillors reflected that the changes to Council’s waste service came following the introduction of the Victorian Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act. The Act stated that Councils must provide services for collection of general rubbish, recycling, food and garden organics, and separate glass before 2030. Changes to the waste and recycling system were introduced in October last year which resulted in a fortnightly rubbish collection which goes to landfill, an introduction of a weekly FOGO system for food and organic waste with recycling remaining fortnightly. Yarra Ranges Deputy Mayor Cr David Eastham said the release of the six-month review figures has shown that the new changes are working for the broader community and helping to meet our environmental goals. “The results have shown a massive 40 per cent reduction in the amount of waste sent to landfill,” Cr Eastham said. “This means that more than 3127 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions have been avoided thanks to the huge efforts of our community – who must be congratulated for taking on the change so well. “We know that overall, people want to do what’s right for the environment and by using the new waste system that’s exactly what people are doing. “Our contamination rate within the FOGO bins is at 0.49 per cent which is an amazing achievement and has meant that an additional 9,037 tonnes of organic material have been composted into usable products.” The six-month review included: ■ an audit of residential bins to identify how many are overflowing (bins slightly ajar or fully
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● Cr David Eastham, Deputy Mayor open with contents strewn around the bin) ■ an audit of street litter bins to identify any dumping or changes in volume ■ an audit of dumped rubbish reports to identify if there has been an increase ■ review of customer feedback and calls throughout the six months ■ a measurement of the amount of organic/ recycling waste being diverted from landfill. Of the 65,675 bins collected: ■ 417 had lids slightly ajar – (0.63 per cent) ■ 569 were overfull – (0.87 per cent) This shows a total of 1.5 per cent of all rubbish bins being collected could be considered overfilled. Cr Eastham said: “During the changes we heard from lots of people who were dissatisfied and believed they would struggle with these new changes, however these results show that many people have been able to embrace and excel at these changes. “And this is important not only because councils need to meet the State Governments guidelines, but because we must reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill. “Another concern of the community and Council was that street litter bins or illegal dumping would increase, and we’re pleased to report that this has not been the case. “We understand that there will still be pockets within the community who may be struggling with these changes,” Cr Eastham said.
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