By Charlene Macaulay
Wyndham residents are being urged to continue separating recyclables from their household waste after the council forged a deal with Visy Recycling.
The council has cut ties with SKM Services after the Environment Protection Authority served the company with notices to stop accepting recyclable waste at its Laverton North and Coolaroo plants earlier this month.
More than 1000 tonnes of recyclable paper, plastic and cardboard was sent to landfill by 32 of the state’s councils – including Wyndham – in the past week.
Wyndham mayor Mia Shaw said because SKM could not fulfil its contractual obligations to collect recyclables, the council was in a position to enter into a new arrangement with Visy.
“Wyndham has been successful in negotiating an outcome that is in the best interests of our community and the environment,” Cr Shaw said.
“However, it is important to note that there is limited opportunity for all other affected councils to achieve the same outcome simply due to the capacity of the two recycling facilities currently accepting materials.
“It is … really important for residents to continue recycling by separating their recyclable materials into the blue recycling bin.”
Cr Shaw said the SKM situation highlighted the need for urgent state government investment in new recycling facilities.
