Cost too high for recycling pick up
GET RECYCLING: Recycling just takes a little effort to sort before taking it to the nearest waste depot for a small fee.
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Residents in the Lower Eyre Peninsula District Council area have questioned why they do not have the same access to kerbside recycling as Port Lincoln residents.
Concerned Poonindie resident Daryl Mortimer said he was worried about people not being able to access kerbside recycle bins.
“I just think there needs to be more heat on the council in making things happen.”
Mr Mortimer said more people needed to be proactive about how to recycle especially since recent increased awareness about how wasteful people can be.
“Hopefully a few people wake up about it,” he said.
Boston residents Julianne Bell and Andy Schloss also questioned the lack of kerbside recycling.
“It’s very annoying that council don’t supply recycling from the kerbside,” Ms Schloss said.
District council residents have to take recycling to the Waste Transfer Stations located at Cummins and Coffin Bay or the Port Lincoln Resource Recovery Centre.
Wood, paper, metal, green waste, glass, plastics and cardboard can all be recycled as long as items are separated or flattened when brought in to the centres.
Lower Eyre Peninsula District Council chief executive officer Rod Pearson said in 2015 the council surveyed residents to gauge views on a recycling service but there was not a conclusive push for kerbside recycling then.
“Fifty seven per cent of respondents supported the introduction of kerbside recycling but only 41 per cent indicated a willingness to pay the $127 cost of this fortnightly service,” he said.
Mr Pearson said on the basis of the data council chose not to introduce a kerbside recycling service.
He said high costs to the council and ratepayers played a role in the reason to not have the service.
“Waste management currently costs council 17 per cent of rate revenue, so it is a challenge to council to contain these costs.”
He said council had agreed to review its Waste Management Strategy in the coming year.
“The next review of waste management, including the option of recycling will include a review of the cost of recycling,” he said.