Community leading the way in recycling

Glenelg residents help to keep the area tidy.

Residents of the Glenelg Shire in Victoria are taking charge of recycling and waste reduction at local events, and Council is now offering an additional recycling trailer to meet demands.

The Glenelg Shire is home to some of Victoria’s most iconic tourist destinations including tentatively UNESCO World Heritage shortlisted Budj Bim and the stunning Cape Bridgewater.

Residents are passionate about maintaining the region’s status as a beautiful place to visit and have been leading the way in minimising waste at local events.

The Glenelg Shire Council previously offered one event waste and recycling trailer, consisting of six waste bins and six recycling bins, for free community use.

The demand for the trailer was so high, many groups and individuals were unable to access the service due to clashing bookings.

Not wanting to turn away the ‘green’ efforts of residents and to help ensure waste management continued to remain a community priority, the council sought to increase the number of trailers on offer.

A successful grant application later, the second event waste and recycling trailer was launched to the Glenelg Shire community.

Mayor Anita Rank said that the release of the additional bin trailer proved that residents in the shire were both proactive and passionate about recycling and waste management.

“The support from the community for our original bin trailer was overwhelming, which is a real testament to our groups and individuals who go out of their way to help keep our region tidy.

“The original trailer was continually booked out and we wanted to ensure that all events and local groups could access the trailer, even if two events were being held on the same day.

“Community groups, schools and sporting clubs can now access more than one trailer, depending on the size and scale of their event – the best part is that the hire of these trailers is completely free of charge.

“As these trailers travel around our towns, the message to not waste the Glenelg Shire is spreading to residents young and old.

The additional event waste and recycling trailer was sponsored by the Keep Australia Beautiful Beverage Container Recycling Community Grants, which is funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation.

The grant, which was to the value of almost $18,000, funded the purchase of the new trailer, an upgrade of the original trailer, new bins, new signage and the delivery of an education program to the community.