Perth Voice Interactive

STIRLING city council cannot say when it will return to recycling domestic kerbside waste.

The council has recycled virtually none since August, dumping nearly 7000 tonnes of rubbish in landfill every month (Voice, May 3, 2014).

The council’s recycling system collapsed when the Atlas recycling facility in Mirrabooka unexpectedly ceased operations last August. The council didn’t tell ratepayers till March.

The facility had achieved a 65 per cent recycling rate over 10 years, from just one kerbside bin.

The council is now hastily looking into moving to a three-bin system.

Council director Geoff Eves says there will be a better idea of timing when a three-bin report comes before the council in “coming weeks”.

“Stirling city council is looking at a range of options including the state government’s preferred choice of three bins which will enable the highest levels of recycling,” he says.

“A report recommending the preferred option of a three-bin system will be presented to council in the coming weeks.

“If approved, a timeline for rolling out the new three-bin system will be developed.”

WA environment minister Albert Jacob says he is “disappointed to learn that all kerbside waste collected by the City of Stirling is being sent to landfill.”

But he is pleased the council is considering a three-bin system.

“The state government is committed to improving recycling rates and working with local governments to do this.”

by STEPHEN POLLOCK