By Meg Kennedy<\/p>\n
Recyclables and rubbish in Moorabool are now headed to the same spot: landfill.
\nMoorabool Shire Council announced on Tuesday, 13 August via its website and social media platforms that it \u201chas had to make the difficult decision to send recyclables to landfill,\u201d following the recent closure of recycling contractor SKM.
\nThe post detailed that Moorabool Shire\u2019s short-term solution, Ballarat-based processor Clarke\u2019s Recycling, has now reached capacity \u2013 forcing Council to send recyclables into landfill as an \u201cinterim measure\u201d, whilst a \u201clonger-term sustainable solution\u201d is sought.
\nMoorabool Shire is now one of 15 other councils across the state who have made the decision.
\nThe Victorian Government announced on the same day that a $6.6 million package \u2013 estimated at $200,000 per council \u2013 will be distributed to the affected councils over the next four months, \u201cproviding a rebate that will cover the additional costs they are incurring to deal with their recyclable waste.\u201d
\nAccording to a media release from the State Government, the relief package will be conditional, including evidence of councils having sought alternative options to landfill to ensure as much material as possible is recycled; full transparency regarding future waste contracts; providing information on current contractual rates and conditions; and details on where the waste is diverted to, such as landfill, storage or a recycling destination.
\nMoorabool Shire Council Community Assets and Infrastructure General Manager Phil Jeffrey told the Moorabool News that \u201call 33 Councils with direct contracts with SKM will be eligible to apply for State Government announced funding,\u201d although little is known about how long the funding will last.
\nMr Jeffrey also confirmed that \u201call kerbside recycling collections will continue to be collected by Council\u2019s collection contractor,\u201d with no changes to the current collection schedule, and putrescible waste (organic and food waste) will continue to be deposited at Melbourne Regional Landfill.
\nAlthough not an ideal solution, Council encouraged residents to \u201creduce waste of all kinds\u201d whilst other avenues are sought by only shopping for necessary items, and opting for goods with less packaging.
\n\u201cWhilst the current recycling problem has been described as a crisis in the media, it is also an opportunity for us all to review our consumption habits, to put pressure on manufacturers to reduce excessive packaging and to choose more sustainable options,\u201d Council\u2019s statement read.
\nSKM, one of Victoria\u2019s largest recycling contractors, announced back in July that it would be shutting it doors, creating chaos for councils around the state and a further blow to Victoria\u2019s recycling crisis.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Meg Kennedy Recyclables and rubbish in Moorabool are now headed to the same spot: landfill. Moorabool Shire Council announced on Tuesday, 13 August via its website and social media platforms that it \u201chas had to make the difficult decision to send recyclables to landfill,\u201d following the recent closure of recycling contractor SKM. The post […]<\/p>\n