Council, at its September Ordinary Meeting, resolved to endorse a three-year lease agreement with Resource Recovery Australia (RRA) for the operation of the recycling shop at the Leeton Landfill & Recycling Centre.
RRA is a not-for-profit social enterprise that collaborates with Councils across Australia. Their objective is to divert waste from landfills while creating employment and training opportunities for individuals facing employment barriers.
With over 32 years of experience, RRA has successfully managed various waste reduction initiatives, including reuse shops, transfer stations, community recycling centers, container deposit scheme depot operations, as well as community engagement workshops and events.
Under the new lease agreement, Council will be assisting RRA to achieve better resource recovery outcomes including providing people with barriers with jobs and ongoing training and development opportunities. RRA's proposal also identified minor infrastructure adjustments to enhance foot traffic flow and site safety. These changes will be made operationally within existing resources.
Council's Waste & Recycling Coordinator Guy Retallick, highlighting RRA's extensive operational experience, stated, "Council is forecasting a minimum of 180 tonnes of landfill material to be recycled and sold through the shop. With less waste going to landfill, we are not only extending the life of our facility, but also meeting some important resource recovery targets set by the NSW Government."
Cr George Weston, Portfolio Lead for Environment & Climate Change, is looking forward to having RRA run the recycling shop at the Leeton landfill, stating, "This partnership not only benefits our community by promoting resource recovery but also ensures that we stay aligned with best practices in waste management. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future for Leeton Shire."
Residents can expect the recycling shop to re-open in the coming months.
