Councils unite in bid to clean up toxic collection days

THE Shire of Yarra Ranges has joined together with several other eastern councils to call for Sustainability Victoria to allocate more toxic chemical collection days.
Residents currently have two collections each year to get rid of toxic and household chemicals such as pesticides and old batteries.
However, prior to 2006, Sustainability Victoria held three collection days per year in the neighbouring municipalities of Yarra Ranges, Knox, Mannigham, Maroondah and Whitehorse.
Yarra Ranges Walling Ward councillor Len Cox said the reduction in the number of collection days has disadvantaged residents in Melbourne’s east.
Cr Cox said in deciding to ration collection days and establish permanent collection facilities, Sustainability Victoria has overlooked the eastern suburbs.
“None of the new permanent centres are in the east, or are readily accessible to our communities and in addition other collection days scheduled this year in Melbourne are not located where there is ready access for the communities in the east,” he said.
Cr Cox said as a result of the reduction in collection days some of the toxic materials may be diverted to landfill rather than being appropriately recycled.
“Yarra Ranges believes Sustainability Victoria did not take proper account of the eastern region’s strong support of collection days when making this decision,” he said.