The Central Coast is to trial a new program which will see tricky recyclables such as soft plastics, clothes, batteries and smoke alarms collected from residents’ homes for free.
Central Coast Council has engaged start-up company Recycle Smart for the three-month trial which will run until the end of August.
Council intends to collect data and feedback from residents, to determine what type of recycling service might be of interest and benefit to the wider community.
Council Unit Manager Waste and Resource Recovery, Andrew Pearce, said the trial also aims to reduce the number of recyclable materials that end up in landfill.
“There is often confusion among residents over how to correctly dispose of tricky recyclables such as soft plastics, clothes, e-waste and problem waste like polystyrene, batteries and smoke alarms,” Pearce said.
“Also, having to visit different drop off locations is often an inconvenience and disincentive – this potentially being a contributing factor to material that could be recycled ending up in landfill or in the wrong bin.
“A from-home recycling service can potentially help reduce this, which is why we’re calling for the community to get involved and help us deliver a service that works for both them and the environment.”
Pearce said if the trial is successful and popular with residents a long-term program could be implemented at a later date following a tender process.
Council Administrator, Rik Hart, said the trial was an opportunity for locals to help Council identify a recycling service that works for the wider community and something residents might be interested in accessing long-term.
Residents wanting to take part in the trial should head to the Recycle Smart website, and register online or by downloading the app and filling out all required information.
The app provides specific and localised information on how to correctly dispose of over 250 waste items.
Those who are confirmed as registered will be notified directly on their pickup date and will need to leave materials outside their home before 8am of the morning of collection.
The program is a NSW Environment Protection Authority Waste Less, Recycle More initiative funded by the waste levy and facilitated by Council.
Source:
Media release, Jun 6
Central Coast Council