22 December 2022
More than 500 additional Southern Downs properties are now enjoying the convenience of roadside waste collection and the opportunity to more easily recycle household waste after voluntarily opting-in to receive collection services.
In a push to bolster the region’s sustainability and recycling rate, Southern Downs Regional Council initially expanded the waste collection service area in a three-month free trial in April before offering properties in the identified area the opportunity to opt-in or opt-out of the service.
Southern Downs Mayor Vic Pennisi said the preliminary trial reflected Council’s commitment to providing efficient waste services across the region and reminded residents in the expansion area that they still have the opportunity to take advantage of the opt-in service.
“In 2020, the Southern Downs community disposed of more than 27,000 tonnes of waste into landfill. Collectively we need to work together to divert waste from landfill and find innovative ways of resource recovery to reduce our environmental footprint,” Mayor Pennisi said.
“The expansion of the Designated Waste Collection Area forms part of the ongoing strategic actions identified in Council’s Waste Reduction and Recycling Plan 2021-2024, adopted by Council on 26 May 2021.
“While not all the residents in the new catchment area wanted to continue with the service following the free trial, more than 500 properties opted to receive waste collection services and now have access to a dedicated recycling bin so we can rescue more recyclables from our landfill, increase its lifespan and consequently help put some downward pressure on rates.
“Residents in the identified expansion waste collection area can still access roadside waste collection services by contacting Council’s Customer Service Centre.”
Council undertakes annual audits of material collected as part of the roadside waste and recycling collection. The most recent audit showed that nearly 17% of the waste in the general red-lidded bins could have been recycled in the yellow-lidded bin. This was compared to nearly 32% of material that could have been recycled in the general waste bins at an unsupervised bin compound and demonstrates improved recycling rates through the roadside collection.
Residents can find further information on what materials can be placed in the yellow-lidded recycling bins on Council’s website: www.sdrc.qld.gov.au/living-here/waste---recycling/residential-waste-recycling.
Last edited date 22 Dec 2022