Byron Shire Council will be doing extra residential bin collections this Christmas and New Year.
For two weeks, from 21 December until Friday 1 January, all wheelie bins will be emptied weekly on the usual collection day.
For people living in urban areas this means the red (general waste), green (organics) and yellow (recycling) wheelie bins will all be emptied on the same day.
People in rural areas should put out their red and yellow bins for collection.
Normally Council alternates the weekly collection of the recycling and waste bins.
Council has been offering the additional collection service for several years, with the aim being to reduce the amount of waste spilling out of some bins which pollutes the environment and sometimes ends up in the waterways.
Bin collections will run every day, including Christmas Day and New Year's Day and it is important that people place their bins out the night before their collection day, as collection times may vary to normal and Councils collection contractor cannot go back for bins that are put out late.
Bin lids should be fully closed, as overflowing bins may not be able to be emptied.
Sarah Child, Council's Waste Education Officer, is hoping people will be conscious of the waste they generate this holiday season.
"There are some really easy changes that we can all make to reduce our waste this Christmas including avoiding using disposable plates and cutlery," Ms Child said.
Other ideas include:
- Buying things from a bulk refill store to avoid packaging
- Saving wrapping paper, cards and boxes for reuse
- Avoiding single-use decorations and Christmas crackers/bon bons.
- Making use of leftovers and reducing food waste
"There are also plenty of options for dropping off large unwanted items, hazardous waste and specialty recycling at the Byron Resource Recovery Centre and Second Hand Shop," Ms Child said.
The Byron Resource Recovery Centre at Myocum will be closed on public holidays only.
"Recycling is costly to transport and process, so unfortunately a fee had to be introduced this year to assist with some of those costs," she said.
