The Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup anticipates both business and environmental benefits from its recent roll-out of a kerbside collection bin for organic waste.
The Shire’s successful application for a grant from the Waste Authority as part of the Better Bins funding program enabled it to introduce the service, which began on December 1 2014 for just over 1000 households in the Donnybrook town site.
The grant covered the purchase and delivery of 240-litre mobile garbage bins, compostable bags, kitchen bench-top bins and the printing and distribution of information booklets and advertising.
Collection, transport and gate-processing costs will be funded on a cost-recovery basis for the service.
CEO John Attwood said many factors had been considered before introducing the service, including current and future waste management needs and community views, based on the results of a comprehensive survey of ratepayers.
“Reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill by diverting organics will assist the Shire and its ratepayers to achieve long-term financial and environmental benefits.”
The Shire is part of the Bunbury-Wellington Group of Councils, which collaborates on regional waste management projects.
The group includes the City of Bunbury and Shire of Capel who have already introduced the service and recently won an award as part of the Waste Authority’s Infinity Awards.
Approximately 1,000 tonnes per month of organic waste is currently being received at the regional composting facility operated by the group.
The compost has been tested and meets Australian Standard AS4454.
It will be sold commercially with funds raised reinvested back into managing and improving the facility.
“Recycling organic waste to be made into compost and soil-conditioning products reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves soil fertility and reduces the demand for landfill,” Mr Attwood said.
