In February this year, the Times broke the story about how all household waste was being sent to landfill because of an upgrade to its local recycling facility.
It has since been identified that Atlas recycling is not re-opening its Mirrabooka facility, forcing the City to look elsewhere for a long-term solution.
At its recent meeting, City councillors voted for the three-bin system, which includes a bin for general waste, recyclables and green waste.
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READ NOWStirling Mayor Giovanni Italiano said after public consultation it was identified the new system would best maximise recycling.
‘The three-bin system is also the preferred option of the Waste Authority WA to meet the State Government’s recycling targets and reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by local metropolitan authorities,’ Councillor Italiano said.
The City’s Surplus Waste Levy Reserve will fund the bin purchase and rollout, estimated to cost $12 million.
Collection and processing will cost ratepayers about $37 extra per household per annum. From July 2015, general waste will be collected weekly. Mixed recycled waste and green waste will be picked up on alternative fortnights.
Properties more than 400sq m will receive a green waste bin while some units will share bins.
With ATLAS closing for refurbishment in August and never re-opening, Mirrabooka MLA Janine Freeman said she was glad the City had voted in the new system, but was concerned it would take a year before it was implemented.
‘I was disappointed when it was revealed that the City of Stirling hadn’t been recycling its waste for almost a year, and I think residents are right to be upset that they weren’t told about it from the beginning,’ Ms Freeman said. She also blamed State Environment Minister Albert Jacob for distancing himself from the situation.
Mr Jacob said he recently launched the State Government’s Better Bins Kerbside Collection Pilot Program, which would provide $7.5 million in grants to support local governments who introduced a three-bin system.
‘I understand the City of Stirling will be applying for participation in this program and have been in discussions with the Waste Authority,’ Mr Jacob said.