CONSCIENTIOUS Bathurst recyclers can be assured the material they are placing in their yellow bin will not find its way into landfill, according to mayor Graeme Hanger.
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But it takes a long journey to get there: from Bathurst to Orange and then back through Bathurst again and east to Sydney.
After recent news reports about collected recyclable material in the state not being recycled, the Western Advocate asked Bathurst Regional Council about what happens to the local yellow lid bins’ contents.
Cr Hanger said all the material collected from the Bathurst recycling bins goes to the JR Richards and Sons Materials Recycling Facility north of Orange, as per the JR Richards contract.
“It has gone to the same location for the last 12 years and all material goes to the one centre, as does recycling from Orange, Parkes and Forbes,” he said.
Collected by vehicles from this Orange facility, the material is taken to Visy Recycling in Sydney, where it is sorted and recycled, Cr Hanger said.
“All compliant household recyclable materials are recycled,” he said.
“Any contaminated items such as household rubbish and non-compliant recycling is taken to landfill.
“Mistaking certain items as recyclable, like certain plastics when they don't belong in the service, directly impacts the diversion.”
Approximately 2700 to 2800 tonnes of material per annum has been diverted from landfill.
Cr Hanger said the local recycling bins had kept thousands of tonnes of rubbish out of landfill.
“Approximately 2700 to 2800 tonnes of material per annum has been diverted from landfill for the past three years,” he said.
“The new organics service also takes cardboard, so has provided an overflow for additional cardboard items that don't fit in the yellow bin.”
The Western Advocate contacted Visy seeking confirmation that all the material taken from the Central West to Visy Recycling in Sydney gets recycled.
“Visy is not in a position to provide comment on recycling arrangements in Bathurst,” a Visy spokesperson said. “We suggest you direct your enquiries to the Bathurst Regional Council and/or the Council’s contracted recycling service provider.”