Mitchell Shire Council is taking a fresh and innovative approach to waste management with an aim to reduce the amount of waste generated and encourage more reuse and recycling.
Council adopted the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2030 at the February Council meeting. The new strategy provides guidance for the delivery of infrastructure and services for waste and recovery in the shire for the next eight years.
The goal is to divert 80 per cent of waste from landfill and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with sending waste to landfill.
The draft strategy went out to inform the community, and ask for input, late last year. Council thanks everyone who provided feedback.
Council provides a broad range of waste and recycling services including: kerbside bin collection; our four resource recovery centres; landfill; public litter and recycling bins; and, illegally dumped waste along with waste education programs and activities.
The new Strategy outlines ways to reduce waste to landfill, including:
- Introducing a weekly food and organics kerbside collection in 2025
- Introducing a glass recycling service in 2025
- Opening a Waste Education Centre for community and school groups at the new Seymour Resource and Recovery Centre
- Promoting, explaining and supporting local concepts and projects allowing for reuse. This is now referred to as a 'circular' way of dealing with waste
- Improving and expanding the operation of Reuse Shops at Council's Resource Recovery Centres
- Produce waste education materials, including bin stickers, in English and other languages
Federal and State government legislation influences how resource recovery and waste management are handled at the local level. This strategy will help Council align with these requirements.
