Garden organics processing facility up and running

THE City of Greater Geelong’s $3.5 million Garden Organics Processing Facility in Anakie has received its first delivery of residential green waste.

Garden organics collected through the city’s residential green bin collection, including grass clippings, tree branches, leaves and weeds will be processed at the facility.

The composting facility is expected to process an estimated 35,000 tonnes of green organics from the Greater Geelong region.

The compost will then be used in city parks and sports grounds as well as farm and agricultural land around the region.

Cr Kylie Grzybek said it was very exciting that this facility in Anakie was now operational, turning garden waste from our green bins into compost for use all over the region.

“This will produce major environmental benefits, and contributes towards council’s efforts to be a leader in sustainability,” she said.

Mayor Bruce Harwood said it was also a good time to remind the community to help as much as it could by putting the correct material into your green bins.

“This means only garden materials, and no food waste, treated timber or plastic bags.

“By following these guidelines you can do your bit for the environment and help us to keep costs down.”

A four-month open windrow process involving sorting, pasteurising and maturing the waste ensures the waste meets Australian standards.

For high quality compost to be created, green organics collected must meet the city’s green bin requirements.

Each year, the city spends approximately $700,000 removing plastic and other rubbish from garden organics bins.