Monday, June 6, 2016 • Issue 001
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PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
Our rubbish revolution Residents prepare for major waste overhaul ERIN MAMO
B
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill is preparing for the new bin service
lue Mountains residents are preparing for the biggest overhaul of waste collection services in decades. The new service, which involves the introduction of a new green organics bin, starts on July 4. Blue Mountains City Council has been delivering the new green bin to residents since May 16. This will continue until June 13. “I look forward to July 4, when the first green bin collections take place,” said Mayor Mark Greenhill, who presented the notice of motion for the new bin system. “The new waste service will see the Council and the community working together to continue reducing waste to landfill in the Blue Mountains.” The new bin was proposed after the Council undertook extensive research for more than two years to establish the best waste service option for the community. Three options were then presented to the residents during a month long consultation period. Over two thirds of the residents who provided a submission were in favour of receiving a green bin of some sort. “I can’t wait for the garden organics bin to arrive,” said Lapstone local, Sophie Barrett. “I love composting but it will be so much easier to put all our grass, leaves etc straight into a bin.” The new green bin will allow for 4,000 tonnes of organic waste, like sticks, flowers
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and grass to be recycled each year instead of going to landfill. “We know that over 30 per cent of household waste sent to the City’s landfill in Blaxland is garden vegetation,” Cr Greenhill said. “The introduction of the green bins will mean a significant reduction in garden waste going to landfill, helping to extend its life by a further two years.” After July 4 the recycling bin and green bin will be collected fortnightly.
Can I put it in the Green Bin? Yes: R Flowers R Grass clippings R Loose leaves and bark R Palm fronds R Plant prunings
R Sticks R Tree branches (Max length 40cm, diameter 10cm) R Weeds
No: Food waste including meat, fruit and vegetables Plastic bags Animal droppings Hazardous waste items Household garbage Pavers and bricks
Logs, branches and stumps larger than 40cm in length and 10cm in diameter Pots and containers Recycling items Sleepers or garden edging Soil