Eurobodalla Shire Council has provided further detail of its recycling program, amid concerns about how the shire’s waste is managed.
Director of Planning and Sustainability Lindsay Usher said residents could be reassured that the recyclable materials they put in their yellow-lid bins were processed locally at a recycling facility in Moruya.
“Last year the facility processed 4,700 tonnes of material from yellow-lid bins,” Mr Usher said.
“Only nine per cent of that material ends up in landfill and this is due to contamination, such as nappies, or production loss, where part of the recycling process creates a small amount of waste.
“The recyclable material is sorted then baled, and the commodities are shipped to various companies for reprocessing in Australia and overseas within weeks of being received.
“The exception is glass, which is crushed at the recycling facility and made into glass sand for use on local construction projects.”
Mr Usher explained that the council contracts the kerbside collection and recycling process to Suez, who own and operate the materials recycling facility in Moruya.
“Suez decides where the baled materials go after processing in Moruya,” Mr Usher said.
“It depends on the commodity value and is their commercial decision.
“However, Council’s contract specifies which products are to be accepted and also stipulates that Suez reports the amount of material received, the amount of material sent away for reprocessing and the amount of contamination and production loss that goes to landfill.
“Council has a good working relationship with Suez and we discuss commodity value and market forces that affect the reprocessing of materials and ultimately the price for collection.
“We’re proud that all the glass from our kerbside collection is crushed at the Moruya facility and turned into glass sand for use on local construction projects,” Mr Usher said.
“They produce around 2,000 tonnes each year and we’re working with Suez to create a local market, including targets on Council’s own works to ensure we are closing the loop in the most cost effective way.”
Mr Usher said the community’s concerns about the program’s revelations were understandable, but they should feel reassured that here in Eurobodalla, their recycling efforts are absolutely worthwhile.
“Eurobodalla residents are great recyclers and we urge everyone to keep up the good work,” he said.
