STIRLING city council will spend $12 million to move to a three-bin collection by July 2015, with ratepayers slugged an extra $37 per year to pay for it.
The council was forced to abandon its single-bin system after the Atlas recycling facility in Mirrabooka unexpectedly closed last August.
The facility had achieved a 65 per cent recycling rate over 10 years, from just one kerbside bin.
Since the plant’s closure the council has recycled virtually none of its kerbside waste, dumping nearly 7000 tonnes of rubbish in landfill every month (Voice, May 3, 2014).
“Our recycling record hasn’t been good over the last six months, largely due to matters out with our control,” Cr David Michael concedes.
Under the new system, households will receive a 140-litre red-lid general waste bin, a 240-litre yellow-lid bin for co-mingled recyclables and a 240-litre lime-lid bin for green waste. Red bins will be collected weekly and the yellow and lime bins on alternate fortnights.
Stirling mayor Giovanni Italiano says the council’s track record on recycling waste, prior to the closure of the Atlas facility, was recognised as one of the best in WA.
“While we are keen to see the new system in place as soon as possible, the acquisition process will mean the three-bin system will be introduced next year,” he says.
“If the new bins are used appropriately we will not only see an increase in the amount of waste recycled but also a reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill, which will in turn reduce costs for our ratepayers.”
Between 72 and 84 per cent of ratepayers surveyed were in favour of switching to the multiple bin system.
by STEPHEN POLLOCK
Perth Voice Interactive 
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