The City of Joondalup will introduce a three-bin system similar to that in the City of Stirling.
Camera IconThe City of Joondalup will introduce a three-bin system similar to that in the City of Stirling. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

City of Joondalup moots moving to three-bin system

Tyler BrownJoondalup Times

THE City of Joondalup could move to a three-bin system.

The council is due to consider, at its meeting on Tuesday night, a proposal to implement the Waste Authority’s Better Bin system, following other Perth councils Stirling, Bayswater and Cockburn.

The March council document said while the City of Joondalup currently met the State’s target of diverting 50 per cent of waste from landfill by 2015, it would be “a challenge” to meet 65 per cent by 2020 “unless changes to current practices are made”.

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In February 2016, the council endorsed a waste management plan that recognised its significant and rising cost, with the Mindarie Regional Council gate fee increasing from $120 per tonne in 2013-14 to $180 per tonne in 2017-18.

“Indications from the MRC are there will be a further sharp increase in 2018-19 and will continue to rise,” the document said.

“In response to the rising cost and to increase diversion from landfill to meet the Waste Authority targets, the City has reviewed its kerbside collection services and is proposing the introduction of a three bin system.”

The new system would include a smaller 140-litre or standard 240-litre red-lid general waste bin to be collected weekly, a 240-litre or larger 360-litre yellow-lid bin for recycling to be collected fortnightly and a 240-litre lime green-lid bin for green waste to be collected fortnightly on the alternate week.

It is proposed that householders who opt for the smaller general waste bin would be charged a lower fee and there would be no change to the current bulk green and hard waste services and weekend greens vouchers.

According to the document, a recent winter audit found 26 per cent of waste being put in green-lid bins was recyclable and of the 74 per cent that was not, 32.6 per cent was green waste.

“Placement of these items into the correct bin will not only increase the City’s diversion rate but will also reduce cost,” the document said.

City officers have recommended the implementation of the three bin system and that it apply for grant funding from the Waste Authority.

The City will be able to apply for a maximum of $30 per household, with the application to be made before the end of the month.

If approved, the system would be rolled out suburb by suburb over six months and could start as early as January 2019.

“The City of Joondalup has been shown to be a high generator of waste,” the document said.

“This will only increase as the City’s population increases and the amount of waste households generate increases.

“In order to reach diversion targets, reduce environmental impact and reduce the cost of delivering waste services, steps need to be taken to reduce the amount of waste generated within the City.”

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