Mitchell Shire kerbside collection service is changing

By Contributed

Jan 24, 2025

Mitchell Shire are set to implement a four-bin system. Photo by James Ross/AAP

The way Mitchell Shire residents manage waste at home is set to transform, with a new four-bin kerbside system to be introduced by council in March.

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This will involve the introduction of a new bin for food and garden organics, a glass recycling bin, and the general rubbish bin collection changing to a fortnightly service.

The kerbside collection will include a food and garden organics green-lid 120 litre bin collected weekly, a mixed recycling yellow-lid 240 litre bin collected fortnightly, a general rubbish red-lid 120 litre bin collected fortnightly (alternating with the mixed recycling bin), and a glass recycling purple-lid 120 litre bin collected monthly.

These changes are in line with the state government’s legislation that requires Victorian council’s to provide a four-bin system to all households by 2030.

This service model has seen the most success in diverting waste from landfill and has been adopted by several councils in Victoria, such as the Shire of Strathbogie, City of Greater Shepparton and Benalla Rural City Council.

Kerbside waste collected in the general rubbish bin is sent to landfill, and landfill emissions account for 75 per cent of Mitchell Shire Council’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The most recent Mitchell Shire Council kerbside bin audit found the average general rubbish bin contains more than 66 per cent of food and garden organic materials, which means introducing a food and garden organics bin will remove this material from the general rubbish bin and process the waste into a nutrient rich compost.

From March, glass will no longer be accepted in the mixed recycling yellow-lid bin, which will make it less challenging to recycle other items like cardboard, paper and plastic.

Mitchell Shire Council Acting Mayor Nathan Clark said the shire is pleased to be rolling this service out.

“We’re in a fortunate position where we can learn from other councils that have already introduced the four bins, so we can provide a service that is likely to have the best outcomes for our environment and best financial benefit for our community,” Mr Clark said.

“The changes to our kerbside services will help to encourage resource reuse and recovery over disposal, and contribute to a circular economy by diverting waste from landfill to make new products.”

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/ysc5ucjp