Over the past year our Group has focussed on setting up systems for recycling the items listed in our Master sheet copy attached. As a result of the work done to establish collection points (for plastic bottle tops among other items at the Senior Citizens & Community Centre, for example) we are now measuring the recycled volume collected in cubic metres compared with the shopping bags collected when we first started, which is very exciting.
In November four of our group attended a NERSA meeting and site visit to Halve Waste Albury, at which Kay made a presentation on the work we are doing in Benalla. After keen interest from other attendees and many questions, a North East Waste Alliance (NEWA) was initiated. This body aims to share ideas, possibly exchange items where possible and again if possible lobby (for example) pharmaceuticals to implement recyclable medication packagings for sustainability. The group will meet several times a year, and has a wide membership from across the northeast including several representatives from other Councils A future meeting with Helen Haines and Tanya Plibersek is being organised.
The prime example of a problem packaging item is the combined foil and plastic blister packs ” used for some pills, which are only recyclable in Melbourne. After the collection arrangement for these with Terry White Chemists fell though, we were fortunate to find that Marsha Watson Pharmacy is collecting these items and will also recycle all blister packs which are purchased through her pharmacy.
It is great to see the new can and bottle recycling point, Foott Waste CDS depot, up and operating. WasteWise is now registered at the Benalla CDS for donations from any credits for cans and bottles! This credit will be used to purchase Banish recycling boxes. Recycling by way of Banish boxes, mail backs of plastic bags, used mobiles and other items through Terracycle and so on continues.
We look forward to extending the list of items recycled in Benalla but are waiting for Council to establish a central collection point as other municipalities have done. We would also like to see a "Tip Shop / Green Shed ” established at the Resource Recovery Centre to further facilitate the revolving economy, but again are waiting for BRCC to make a decision on this possibility.
In November four of our group attended a NERSA meeting and site visit to Halve Waste Albury, at which Kay made a presentation on the work we are doing in Benalla. After keen interest from other attendees and many questions, a North East Waste Alliance (NEWA) was initiated. This body aims to share ideas, possibly exchange items where possible and again if possible lobby (for example) pharmaceuticals to implement recyclable medication packagings for sustainability. The group will meet several times a year, and has a wide membership from across the northeast including several representatives from other Councils A future meeting with Helen Haines and Tanya Plibersek is being organised.
The prime example of a problem packaging item is the combined foil and plastic blister packs ” used for some pills, which are only recyclable in Melbourne. After the collection arrangement for these with Terry White Chemists fell though, we were fortunate to find that Marsha Watson Pharmacy is collecting these items and will also recycle all blister packs which are purchased through her pharmacy.
It is great to see the new can and bottle recycling point, Foott Waste CDS depot, up and operating. WasteWise is now registered at the Benalla CDS for donations from any credits for cans and bottles! This credit will be used to purchase Banish recycling boxes. Recycling by way of Banish boxes, mail backs of plastic bags, used mobiles and other items through Terracycle and so on continues.
We look forward to extending the list of items recycled in Benalla but are waiting for Council to establish a central collection point as other municipalities have done. We would also like to see a "Tip Shop / Green Shed ” established at the Resource Recovery Centre to further facilitate the revolving economy, but again are waiting for BRCC to make a decision on this possibility.
Kaye Blore
Friday 24 May 2024
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