New four-bin kerbside collection to be launched

SURF Coast Shire Council’s new four-bin kerbside collection system will begin on February 1, 2021.

This service is part of the council’s commitment to improving waste management, promote sustainability and is aligned with the state’s plans to transform recycling in Victoria.

The system will include a food organics and garden organics (FOGO) service and a glass-only bin service. The system will apply to all urban residents and any rural residents that receive Surf Coast Shire Council’s waste service.

The idea behind introducing a glass-only bin is to reduce broken glass contaminating other recyclable materials, with glass being recycled separately it can then be reused locally.

The council ran a successful pilot of the FOGO service in Anglesea in 2018/19 and it has remained in place. Originally intended to begin from July 6, 2020, it has been postponed due to COVID-19.

What to expect in preparation for the new service?

Throughout December and January, residents will receive an extra kerbside bin with a purple lid for glass collection. Rural properties will receive the purple-lidded bin and a green organics bin for food and garden organics. Households will also receive a small kitchen caddy to sit on the bench for collection of organic scraps.

As of February 1, all organic waste, including food and garden waste, will go in the lime green-lidded organics bin and will no longer be accepted in the landfill bin. Glass will no longer be accepted in the recycling bin, rather the new purple-lidded bin. The yellow bin will continue to be used for collection of paper, cardboard, rigid plastics 1-5, steel and aluminium cans.

Landfill bin lids that are maroon or green will be changed to red in December and January on your regulation collection day.
Waste collection charges will not increase as a result of the changes.

Further information can be found at surfcoast.vic.gov.au/Kerbside2021.