By Luke Voogt
Geelong’s hard waste collection will continue for another year after council extended the service until at least July 2021.
Greater Geelong residents will be able to book two free collections between July 2020 and July 2021 after council voted to extend the service on Tuesday night.
The decision also allows Geelong residents to book one extra collection before the end of June 2020.
Council expanded the list of accepted items to include mattresses, which according to City Hall are one of the region’s most illegally-dumped items.
“This is a real win for the community, which has enthusiastically supported the program since it started last year,” Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher said.
“Including mattresses in the program will not only save residents time disposing of them correctly, but see less mattresses illegally dumped around the municipality and therefore reduce the city’s clean-up costs.”
Council described the recent trial of the service as “hugely successful” with 20,300 bookings since it started in March 2019, equating to 18 per cent of local households.
Over the past 12 months the service collected 2484 tonnes of waste of which more than a quarter was diverted from landfill and recycled, according to City Hall.
Diverting the waste into recycling streams had saved $85,000 in tip fees, City Hall said.
COVID-19 restrictions had led to a significant increase in the program’s uptake, as residents used the time to clean up around the home, City Hall said.
Council’s waste management portfolio chair Ron Nelson said the extension addressed the community’s needs and would reduce landfill and illegal dumping.
“The program is a great opportunity for residents to do the right thing and I urge them to make a booking,” Cr Nelson said.
“The service has diverted waste from landfill for recycling, which is a great result for the community and the environment.”
The decision was in line with a recently adopted 10-year Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy aiming to increase recycling and reduce waste to landfill, council said.
More information: www.geelongaustralia.com.au/hardwaste or phone 5272 5444 during business hours.
For council’s other waste and recycling programs visit www.geelongaustralia.com.au/recycling.
