Orange City Council will open a new, safer and more efficient public mixed waste drop‑off area at the Ophir Road Resource Recovery Centre (ORRRC) on Wednesday 6 May, improving safety, traffic flow and recycling outcomes for the community.
The new area introduces purpose‑built Australian‑made LBins, allowing residents to unload waste at ground level and eliminating the elevated drop‑off that previously required vehicles to reverse and dispose of waste into lower skip bins.
Council received $120,187 in funding for this project from the NSW Environment Protection Authority's (EPA) Landfill Consolidation and Environmental Improvements Grants Program. This is an initiative of the NSW EPA under the NSW Government's Waste and Sustainable Materials Strategy, and is funded from the waste levy.
Orange Mayor Tony Mileto said the new system responds directly to safety concerns associated with the existing public waste receival skip bins.
"In the past, residents were required to reverse into an elevated area and throw waste down into skip bins below, which created a real risk of trips, falls and injuries," Cr Mileto said.
"The new LBins remove that drop‑off entirely, making waste disposal safer, quicker and much easier for the community."
The LBins look and operate like large buckets typically used with front‑end loaders, allowing vehicles to reverse in and unload waste at the same level. This design improves accessibility and removes the height difference that previously posed a safety risk for residents.
Clearly marked signage guides drivers into safe reversing positions, while the layout provides a clear separation between people and operational machinery. The new design also removes the need for tyre stops, eliminating another common trip hazard. The new public general waste area includes five LBin bays: four bays for mixed waste and one dedicated bay for mattresses, improving separation and efficient handling of bulky items.
Cr Mileto said the upgrade supports Council's commitment to improving recycling and reuse, while also enhancing on‑site safety.
"Inspecting materials on arrival means more items can be recovered for reuse and recycling, while hazardous waste can be intercepted early and managed safely," he said.
The LBins allow waste to be laid out and visually inspected, enabling staff to identify hazardous materials such as asbestos, chemicals, batteries or flammable items before they enter the waste stream. The public general waste area also includes tyre disposal and small scrap steel recovery. If contamination occurs, individual bins can be easily isolated, removed and replaced, allowing the facility to continue operating safely with minimal disruption.
The existing public waste receival skip bins, located near the Resource Recovery Shop, will remain in use for small trucks and, tipper trailers. Two bays will continue to accept mixed waste, with the remaining two bays dedicated to cardboard and mixed recyclables.
Separating the smaller vehicles from the larger trucks accessing the bins will improve traffic flow, enhance speed drop off and ensure safer pedestrian traffic interaction.
"This upgrade is a smart investment in safety, efficiency and environmental responsibility," Cr Mileto said.
"It's about making our Ophir Road Resource Recovery Centre safer and easier to use today, while preparing the facility for the future."
After passing through the gatehouse and weighbridge, visitors continue straight through the roundabout and turn right. Residents are encouraged to follow on‑site signage and speak with staff if they are unsure where to dispose of specific items.
