Colac Otway community urged to continue recycling
July 26, 2019
Colac Otway Shire residents are being urged to continue separating recycling as usual, despite Council being notified by SKM that it has ceased accepting recyclable material as of today.
“Council recycling kerbside collections will continue as normal,’ Infrastructure and Leisure Services General Manager Tony McGann said.
“Colac Otway is investigating options for our recycling services and sending recycling to landfill will be a last resort,” Mr McGann said.
“Last night SKM advised us that it would not be accepting any material at any of its sites because of its inability to process glass at its GRS glass facility.
“GRS is subject to an EPA notice for non-compliance requiring it to stop accepting material from 24th July.
“Barwon South West Waste and Resource Recovery Group’s focus is on ensuring minimal disruption to residents by working with affected councils, other recycling facilities and landfill operators on immediate and long-term solutions.
“Under the terms of its contracts with councils, SKM has an obligation to find alternatives if it can no longer provide services.
“Most of the affected councils, including Colac Otway Shire, have individual contracts with SKM and are now seeking alternative short-term arrangements.
“BSWWRRG is working closely with local government and Victorian Government agencies to identify possible solutions if SKM was to close permanently.
“Councils all over Victoria have been actively working together to explore long term solutions to ensure the ongoing resilience of recycling services.
“We need the community to understand that it is now more critical than ever for residents to correctly sort their recycling for kerbside collection.
“Make sure you know what you can recycle and think about how you can reduce waste in the first place by avoiding unnecessary packaging, limit the amount of recyclable material and buy Australian recycled products,” he said.
SKM sorts 50% of Victoria’s kerbside recyclables (292 682 tonnes per annum), collected from more than 30 councils across Victoria.
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(03) 5232 9400