Between July and September more than 40,000 households in Bendigo and Marong will begin receiving a 12 month supply of compostable kitchen caddy liners to collect food waste for their organics bin.
City of Greater Bendigo Resource Recovery and Education Manager Brooke Pearce said along with a new roll of caddy liners residents will also receive a brochure detailing recent changes to recycling to keep as a handy reference guide.
"In recent times there has been some changes to what can go in the recycling bin and we have taken this opportunity to put this information in the brochure that will be delivered with the caddy liners," Ms Pearce said.
"While new Federal and State Government legislation will change the way that we recycle materials in the future we need to make sure that what we put in our home recycling bin can actually be recycled in Australia into products that are needed and in demand.
"Unfortunately, there are now some items like plastic meat trays, berry punnets, biscuit trays and Tetra Pak juice and milk containers that can no longer go into the recycling bin.
"These types of plastics are low quality plastics that are hard to recycle into new plastics and the best thing residents can do is to try avoid buying these kinds of materials at all or switch to products that are packaged in materials that can be recycled.
"At the moment fifteen per cent of what is sent for recycling at our contractors East Bendigo recycling sorting facility is contamination.
"This year residents will also notice a different look to their new caddy liners.
"Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic we were unable to secure our usual caddy liners, however the new liners, which have been made in Australia work just the same. They are still made from corn starch and vegetable oil so they will breakdown in around 30 days when commercially composted," Ms Pearce said.
"Because they are designed to breakdown, residents should store their liners in a dark, cool, dry place to ensure they last for a full year.
"If residents happen to run out of caddy liners before their new roll arrives they can obtain a small carry over pack by contacting the City on 54346000. Or if residents still have plenty of caddy liners left over they are free to pass them onto neighbours, friends or family members or return them to the City as we understand that some households don't use as many as others.
"It is important to note that plastic bags must never be used in the organics bin so to avoid contaminating your organic waste bin residents must only use the caddy liners supplied by the City.
"Since we started the organics collection in 2016 residents have adapted very well to the City's three bin system. While contamination in local organics bins is low, we have noticed that some people are still placing food and garden waste in their general waste bins. This is something that we would like residents to improve on in the future."
The new caddy liners are being delivered by staff from Access Contractors - a local social enterprise that provides supported employment for over 100 people with disability.
