Garden waste bin service to conserve landfill and reduce pollutants
Noosa’s new 3-bin waste collection service for single dwellings and duplexes in urban areas will commence 1 September.
Council has kept the cost of the additional garden waste recycling bin service to $50 per year for ratepayers receiving the new service. That’s in line with the recommendation of Council’s 2015 community jury, which called for the expanded service to help reduce the amount of organic waste reaching landfill.
However, there have also been savings to the cost of the two-bin service, thanks to the new collection contract. That means that the overall cost of the 3-bin service will only increase by $40 to $315-a-year due to a $10 saving achieved for the existing 2-bin service.
There’s even more good news for those who’ve already opted in to the garden waste bin service voluntarily – they’re set to enjoy a $25-a-year saving on what they are currently paying for three bins.
“Expanding the service means we can lower the cost, so the 5000 households already subscribed to the service can look forward to paying less next year when the bins become standard across all urban areas,” says Councillor Joe Jurisevic.
“Council will also offer larger 360L garden waste bins from September 1, on request. These bigger bins are great for households that consistently fill their 240L garden waste bin to capacity each fortnight. The 360L bins will cost just $70 per year.”
The garden waste bin service will remain optional for commercial premises, as well as for residents in rural areas, those living in units and on small properties of 400sqm or less. Residents who use professional gardeners to remove and recycle their garden waste can also opt out of the new service.
Residents in rural areas, which aren’t included in the standard roll-out, can request a garden waste bin providing their properties are within 5km of the urban three-bin collection service area. Rural residents who’ve already opted in to the service voluntarily will continue to receive the optional service.
The garden waste bin service supports Council’s Towards Zero Waste and Zero Emissions strategies.
“As it breaks down in landfill, organic waste, such as grass clippings and palm fronds, produce polluting methane gas. Currently, organic waste accounts for almost half of the waste in the general waste bins. And that all ends up in our landfill. So it’s no wonder the landfill is Council’s biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions,” says Mayor Tony Wellington.
“Our aim is to recycle much more garden waste into useful mulch. As of September, thanks to the roll out of garden waste bins, we will be a significant step closer to meeting our zero emissions target. The bins will also be a long-term cost saving to residents, as we will be able to make our landfill last longer, and we will be able to reduce any future waste levy that the Queensland Government may impose, as occurs in other states.”
For more information about waste and recycling, visit Council’s website.
21 April 2017