By Casey Neill
Yarra Ranges Council is urging residents to continue recycling, following recent reports of recycling plant closures.
Recycling provider SKM recently closed two recycling plants, meaning a number of councils in Victoria, including neighbouring Cardinia, have had to re-assess their recycling programs and make alternative plans.
Yarra Ranges Council uses VISY for its recycling collection and processing, and is confident that recyclables collected in the area will continue to be processed appropriately.
“VISY is continuing to receive and recycle material from Yarra Ranges, and the recent closure of SKM’s two recycling plants will not have any impact on our area,” a council statement said.
“This means that recyclables collected in the area will not be diverted to landfill.
“We urge residents to continue separating their waste and recycling appropriately.”
Cardinia Shire Council advised its residents that its recycling processor would temporarily cease accepting recyclable material at its processing facilities following a notice from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
“This is a temporary situation. Your recycling bin will continue to be collected from your kerbside as normal during this period,” the council said in a statement on social media.
“Although in the short term, we’re disappointed we need to divert recyclable materials to landfill while the processor responds to the order.
“No one wants recyclable material to go to landfill – but our priority must be to protect the health and safety of the community.”
The shire said it was one of many affected and was working hard investigating all immediate alternative options as well as long-term solutions to manage recycling services to households.
Gembrook MP Brad Battin said blamed the State Government’s ‘lack of action’ for the situation.
“The former Liberal State Government put in place a plan for recycling when this issue was foreseen back in 2013-2014, Labor intentionally chose to ignore it,” he said.
“Whilst the Labor Government have today pointed the finger the Federal Government, the Andrews Government have $500 million sitting in their account to combat the issue which they choose to leave untouched.
“This money should be used for new initiatives and business to get in control of waste before it’s too late.”
