AFTER being forced to send around 1300 tonnes of recyclable materials to landfill in the last month, Kingston Council has secured a deal to have all of their recycling properly processed.
Kingston were among more than 20 councils caught up in the state’s recycling crisis, after the closure of two SKM recycling centres was ordered following action from the Environment Protection Authority. The EPA ordered the closure of SKM’s Coolaroo and Laverton sites on 15 February.
Initially a deal was worked out with alternative recycling provider Polytrade to have 20 per cent of Kingston’s recycling properly processed (“Negotiations to save Kingston recycling from landfill”, The News, 27/2/19). Over a month later, Kingston has negotiated to ensure that all recycling from the municipality is diverted away from landfill.
Kingston city assets and environment general manager Daniel Freer said “we’re pleased that 100 per cent of Kingston’s recyclables are once again being collected for recycling. Council was disappointed that the recent recycling crisis which impacted more than 20 local councils had forced some Kingston recyclables to be sent to landfill.”
“The closure occurred after the EPA took necessary action and temporarily closed recycling company SKM, which receives Kingston’s recyclable materials, and required cleanup works at the site. In the meantime, Kingston has been able to negotiate an agreement with an alternative recycling provider,” he said.
“At first 20 per cent of Kingston’s recyclables were accepted, this was later increased to 70 per cent and now to 100 per cent, which is great news. Sadly, between mid-February to mid-March around 1300 tonnes of recyclable material had to be sent to landfill.
“Kingston looks forward to SKM resuming full operations as soon as possible.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 27 March 2019
