Predicted population growth, and a community very supportive of environmental initiatives, it is not unexpected that the Shire of Ballina has one of the best waste recovery centres in regional Australia. With a weekly kerbside garbage collection for every residence in the Shire, a fortnightly recycling service is also provided for some 10,800 households or approximately 70 per cent of all properties.
At Council’s Material Recovery Centre, recyclables collected are separated through a series of conveyor belts and hand sorting. Materials are then baled for resale. The Centre also has a Transfer Station where people not receiving the kerbside collection can drop off recyclables.
In 2002/03, some 2,209 tonnes of recyclables was collected from kerbsides and a further 518 tonnes brought to the Transfer Station. In addition 6,776 tonnes of green or organic waste was also dropped at the Transfer Station. Collection and resale of second hand goods is also part of Council’s waste management operations, as well as an education resource centre that is helping to spread the word about the importance of separating valuable resources from the waste stream.
Recyclables from neighbouring Lismore and Richmond River Councils are also processed by Ballina on a fee for service basis.
