About two thirds of the Esperance waste stream ( 7000 tonnes a year) will be diverted from landfill to a new recycling plant at Wylie Bay. Recycling began last November and the volume of recycled materials has already exceeded Council’s expectations, with more than 200,000 kg collected in the first six months.
Council estimates that the community’s recycling efforts will give the Wylie Bay landfill an extra eight years of life. Council has spent $580,000 on the project, with $100,000 coming from the State Government’s Waste Management and Recycling Fund.
The Shire of Esperance, south east of Perth, has appointed a Recycling Marketing Officer, who works with schools, the community and the media to promote recycling.
A two day display was held at the Esperance Agricultural Show, with Council elling worm farms to the community at cost price. Parks and Gardens staff also offer surplus green waste to the community. Recycling mascot, Willy Waste Not, visits schools and community groups. Recycling is conducted at seven of the 12 Esperance schools. One local primary school collects food scraps daily and delivers them to the Esperance Permaculture Centre.
An oil collection facility will be constructed at the Wylie Bay site later this year. Another initiative being investigated is the crushing and reusing of concrete dumped at the Wylie Bay landfill to construct roads and buildings.
For further information contact Waste Management Supervisor, Ian Lindsay, or Recycling Marketing Officer, Louise Paterson, on (08) 9071 0666.
