REGIONAL farmers have been commended for their efforts with environmental program drumMUSTER which offers an eco-friendly way to dispose of empty chemical containers.<\/p>\n
The campaign\u2019s Victoria and southwest New South Wales regional consultant has singled out one local site in particular.<\/p>\n
\u201cBendigo has always been a great supporter of the program,\u201d he said. \u201cThe City is doing a great job at its Goornong Transfer Station.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stewardship program has been running since 1999 and helps farmers dispose of chemical drums in a safe manner rather than being buried or sent to landfill.<\/p>\n
City of Greater Bendigo transfer station coordinator Mick Aylett said it wasn\u2019t the first time the region had been praised for its efforts in the program.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe City of Greater Bendigo was nominated as top collector at Australia’s site finals in Brisbane in 2019,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince 1999, 40 million drums have been collected in Australia. Which is 45,000 tons of plastic saved from landfill.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe collect approximately 15,000 drums a year here at our sites.\u201d<\/p>\n
Outside of Goorong, there are also sites at Eaglehawk and Heathcote within the municipality where the drums can be dropped off.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe farmer comes in or the customer brings the product or drums to the collection sites,\u201d Mr Aylett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have to be triple rinsed so there is no residue in the drum. They’re stored in a cage and we do all our paperwork. How many drums? How many litres?<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen our cages get full, we ring the processor, who will come pick up the drums, or nowadays, a lot of times they will bring a processing shredder and they’ll shred it on-site into little flakes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The drums are then recycled into different everyday plastic items.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey get made into things like concrete mesh reinforcements that are used in the building industry,\u201d Mr Aylett said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe recycled material also goes towards bollards, plastic benches and plastic posts that farmers are starting to use now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wheelie bins, irrigation pipes and underground cable covers are just some of the other products made from the recycled drums.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
REGIONAL farmers have been commended for their efforts with environmental program drumMUSTER which offers an eco-friendly way to dispose of empty chemical containers. The campaign\u2019s Victoria and southwest New South Wales regional consultant has singled out one local site in particular. \u201cBendigo has always been a great supporter of the program,\u201d he said. \u201cThe City […]<\/p>\n