SURF Coast Shire residents will see their recyclables sent straight to landfill, following SKM’s announcement today to councils across the state that it has stopped taking recyclable material at all of its sites, effective immediately.<\/p>\n
The company has contracts to process the recyclables of several Victorian councils, including the Surf Coast Shire and the City of Greater Geelong.<\/p>\n
SKM’s decision follows several financial and compliance challenges that the company has been facing over the past 18 months, including legal action.<\/p>\n
The Surf Coast Shire is urging its residents to continue recycling as normal.<\/p>\n
The shire’s general manager of governance and infrastructure Anne Howard said regular collections of yellow lid recycling bins would continue in the shire for now.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the time being our recyclable material will go to Council\u2019s Anglesea landfill site, which is very disappointing and our last resort.<\/p>\n
“Council has been actively discussing response plans in the event that SKM might not be able to continue accepting our material, but at this time taking recyclables to landfill is unavoidable.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe still need people to keep separating their recyclables into the right kerbside bins in case SKM returns to operation or an alternative is found.
\n“But for now, we urge residents to only put out recycling bins for collection if they are full.\u201d<\/p>\n
Collection of green organics and landfill bins will remain unchanged. Anglesea\u2019s food organics collection also remains unaffected.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs always we urge people to reduce waste where possible. The choices we all make when we purchase our daily goods are more important than ever,\u201d Ms Howard said.<\/p>\n
Ms Howard said the Surf Coast Shire was exploring a change to how it approaches the collection and processing of recyclables.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support of the community will be a critical factor in shifting how we deal with waste and recyclables and we are fortunate to have a very engaged and proactive community. We look forward to sharing our ideas with the community soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
The council will continue to work with other G21 councils and the Barwon South West Waste and Resource Recovery Group seeking collective action on a longer-term sustainable solutions to challenges in processing waste and recyclables.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor now use your yellow recycling bin as usual, reduce what you bring into your home and keep up the good recycling habits,\u201d Ms Howard said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
SURF Coast Shire residents will see their recyclables sent straight to landfill, following SKM’s announcement today to councils across the state that it has stopped taking recyclable material at all of its sites, effective immediately. The company has contracts to process the recyclables of several Victorian councils, including the Surf Coast Shire and the City […]<\/p>\n