Waste Strategy Development Project

There is a range of different types of bin collection systems across Australia. Some councils provide their residents with three bins, one for recycling, one for general waste and one for garden clippings or garden clippings and food. Other cities only have one bin where everything is thrown in together and sent to a facility where it is sorted and processed.

What do you know and think about these other services?

LMCC offers a range of waste services to residents, these include the weekly bin collections, otherwise known as general waste collection (your general rubbish bin) and a fortnightly recycling collection (yellow lid bin). LMCC also provides a bulky waste kerbside collection, that happens twice a year. There are also other waste services such as Awaba Reuse Centre and Teralba Worm Farm. We want to know what you think about these services.

Over half of your garbage bin consists of organic waste, which is made up of food and garden waste that can be processed into a re-usable product. Currently, this organic waste goes straight to Awaba Landfill and produces greenhouse gases that are harmful to the environment.

Much of this organic waste can be prevented from going to the landfill. Some ways of doing this use a two-bin system, while others use a three-bin system... What way do you think we should deal with organic waste?

Would you prefer to keep the bin system you have now and let Council sort it out? Alternatively, would you like to do some of the sorting at home and have a third bin? We want to hear what you think.

A two bin system consists of a recycling bin and a general waste bin, the same as you have now. In comparison to a three bin system, the separation of organic waste (green and food waste ) happens at a processing facility instead of at your house. The processing facility then recovers resources from the contents of the general waste bin by processing it into re-usable products including compost, metals, glass, plastics and potentially energy.

For many people, this system would be more convenient than a three bin system because for the household, nothing changes.

LMCC could develop a processing facility that provides this service convenience, while delivering similar environmental benefits to a three bin system- Would you be happy with business as usual at the household end of dealing with rubbish?

 According to the LMCC 2009 Community Survey, waste collection and maintaining road surfaces are the 2 most important ranking services to residents. In terms of avoiding greenhouse gas emissions, a 3-bin system is not as effective as a 2-bin system. A 3-bin system produces approximately 160,000 tonnes more greenhouse gas than a 2 bin-system over a 30-year period (see Report on Waste Options page 113 in Library section of this site).

Something to consider with a 3-bin system is- there would be more traffic on our roads from more trucks collecting the extra bins, generating more greenhouse gases, and requiring more road maintenance. Is this something that concerns you?

Having a 3 bin system would mean that your food waste needs to be separated from other non-recyclable waste in the kitchen... The third bin would take food waste as well as green garden waste.

Some considerations must be made for a 3 bin system to produce quality compost such as, the food waste can't be wrapped in plastic bags, it would have to be contained in biodegradable bags or just thrown as is in the bin.

This means that in the kitchen at home, you would have to separate your waste 3 ways also (recycling/food/general non-recyclable waste) For those that want a 3 bin system, have you considered this?

On the flip side of all this sorting at home- the end product of a 3 bin system is a higher grade compost than a 2 bin system. Does the quality of the product that is produced at the end of a waste management system concern you?

Many of you are in support of a third green bin for organic waste, yet have shown resistance to putting food waste in that bin for fear of vermin and odours. LMCC is interested in what you plan on doing with this food waste if a 3rd bin system is to be adopted...

Some people have said they don't want a 3rd bin, nor do they need one. While others have said they need a 3rd bin to cope with the amount of green waste they need to get rid of. LMCC is interested in whether providing additional green waste pick-up services may satisfy those that are in support of a 3rd bin for the above mentioned reason?

The Waste Strategy Project is reaching a significant point with Council officers preparing to recommend a draft waste strategy to be considered by Council. It's possible there could be major changes to waste services.  LMCC wants to know what you think is the best way to inform and encourage residents about using waste services properly, particularly if changes such as the number of bins and the frequency of collecting them changes?