An example of contaminated materials registered from a green lid bin.
It’s now been a full week since Edward River Council’s three bin system has been introduced, and project manager Anna Kelly says it is going quite smoothly so far.
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There are a few lingering questions and issues of contamination however, which Ms Kelly anticipates will improve as the program continues.
Calling it a “learning curve”, Ms Kelly said the contamination is being picked up and registered by the state-of-the-art collection bins operating within town.
Each load emptied into the trucks is photographed, and residents with contamination will receive a warning sticker on their bins. Three warnings will be given before fines will be considered.
Ms Kelly said in the first week the project team have noticed a few common mistakes, and received similar feedback and questions from a number of residents.
“We’ve been asked about ashes from the fire. Given that people are burning all sorts of materials, once the ashes have completely cooled these are to go in the red bin (general waste) and not the green bins (FOGO). This is because the organic waste is usually recycled in public spaces.
“Dog poo and tea bags are to be placed in the green bins, after first being placed in the green liners you received with your kitchen caddy, as these items compost very well.
“When it comes to your recycling bin (yellow lid) you should leave items loose. And as these items are sorted by hand by the team in Echuca, we ask that any broken items - regardless of whether they are recyclable or not - go in the red bin.
“We’re also told you can leave lids on your bottles and cartons.”
If you’re still unsure of which items belong in which bin, refer back to the materials delivered with your bins, go to www.halvewaste.com.au or you can also visit www.haveyoursay.edwardriver.nsw.gov.au/3-bins-collection-service to see local information including collection maps.
Council's Green Team will be continue to be available to answer questions at the Edward River Library in Deniliquin from 10am to noon on Tuesdays.
“I want to say congratulations to the Edward River Council customer service team and the waste depot staff who have done an amazing job getting the program going,” Ms Kelly said.
“It has been a big change in a short amount of time, and the whole point is to halve the waste going into our landfill.”
General waste being delivered to the Deniliquin depot.
An example of how recyclables should be placed in the yellow bins.
The state-of-the-art trucks allow staff to monitor for contamination.
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