RESIDENTS of South Gippsland Shire are reminded that from May 11 residential properties in township areas that receive garbage and recycling services will start seeing their new green waste bins being delivered.
The service is compulsory for residential properties in township areas unless they are either over one hectare in area or are a unit or flat. Properties receiving garbage and recycling collection services outside of the township areas or in a flat or large property can also opt in to the service by contacting Council on 5662 9200. The service will cost $78 for the 2015/16 financial year, which will be added to the garbage charge of participating properties.
The fortnightly collections are due to commence July 1, with green waste bins emptied on the same day as the garbage bins and on the opposite week to the recycling collection.
Sustainability Manager Geoff McKinnon said, “This important new service will reduce organic waste going to landfill, saving valuable landfill airspace and reducing greenhouse gas emissions caused by organic waste as it decomposes.”
“Although this initiative is supported for its environmental benefits, the benefits are also financial. The diversion of a substantial amount of organic waste through the delivery of the service will significantly extend the life of the Koonwarra landfill, leading to reduced operating costs in landfill management over the longer term. Recent audits of kerbside garbage bins showed that around 20 percent of the contents of kerbside garbage bins is green waste, which could be put to better use as compost, rather than buried in a landfill.”
The green waste bins will accept prunings, grass clippings, flowers, leaves and weeds. Items not to be put in are plastic bags, soil, rocks and logs/branches thicker than 10cm in diameter. Collected green waste will then be transported to Morwell where it will be composted at an EPA licensed composting facility.
If you have any questions about the new service please contact Council on 5662 9200.
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