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Changing emphasis reduces waste in Glenorchy

Turning the emphasis from garbage collection to recycling has brought many benefits for Tasmania's City of Glenorchy. When considering changing their waste management service, Glenorchy wanted the new services to meet a number of social, economic and environmental criteria, including Council's commitment to waste minimisation.

In a break with tradition, it was decided to introduce recycling services on a weekly basis while reducing household garbage collection to a fortnightly service using 140 litre wheelie bins. The decreased cost for the fortnightly garbage collection allowed greater financial viability for recycling services, as well as removing much material from the waste stream.

In addition, the new service is provided for the same cost as the old system but without the same level of occupational health problems, and the nuisance created by animals accessing older style bins, yet with the environmental advantages of increased community awareness of waste and recycling issues.

The changes, affecting 18,000 residential households, have been enthusiastically received by the community. A survey conducted prior to the introduction of the new services indicated more than 80 percent of residents were in favour of the proposal.

Following its introduction, there have been far fewer complaints about waste services. Complementing the new system are several other services designed to include as many residents as possible in the new scheme.

Council offers a 'driver to collect' service for residents unable to handle their wheelie bin or crate. Multiple tenancies not suited to a fortnightly service are provided with a shared bin system. The success of the scheme is evident with less than 1.5 percent of households opting for a larger 240 litre bin, and no observable increases in littering, illegal waste dumping or light vehicles accessing Council's landfill.

For further information contact Annie Beecroft, telephone (03) 6274 0797.

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