THE City of Joondalup is on the way to achieving its waste diversion targets.
Last year, the City introduced its new waste management plan for 2016 to 2021.
The plan aims to have a 65 per cent diversion rate over the next two years, which is a target set by the State Government in its waste management strategy.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“The City’s overall recycling rate is now at 59.8 per cent and we are on target to achieve an overall 65 per cent diversion rate by 2020,” Mayor Troy Pickard said.
Last October, the City also introduced a new bulk verge collection service.
“The on-request bulk hard waste service has already achieved significant positive results in terms of cost savings to ratepayers, increased diversion rates from landfill and improved visual amenity on suburban streets,” Mr Pickard said.
Under the system, residents can book one three cubic metre skip bin per financial year for bulk hard waste collection.
The hard waste is then sorted for recyclables at a local resource recovery facility with only the non-recyclable waste taken to landfill.
Residents can also arrange one mattress and one whitegoods collection per year.
“In the period to June 30, 2017, the City’s diversion rate from landfill from bulk hard waste collections increased from 2 per cent prior to the commencement of the new system to 48 per cent,” Mr Pickard said.
“The cost of sending waste to landfill continues to rise each year and the City has worked hard to find a solution that offers more flexibility to residents as well as limiting future increases to operational costs.
“There has been no increase in the City’s refuse charges over the past three years.”
However, residents are continuing to express their concerns with the system.
The council is expected to receive a report on a petition requesting the City reinstate bulk waste verge collections at its meeting on November 21.
MORE: SES gets 52 call outs as wild weather blows over trees
MORE: Cities of Perth and Vincent commit to Australia Day events
MORE: Entwined in the Valley: thousands sample the best of the Swan Valley