Green waste

In July 1998 the green waste bin was introduced as an initiative of Wollongong City Council to divert green waste going to landfill and to conserve a natural resource. This initiative has proven to be a great success, with an excess of twenty thousand tonnes (20,000) of green waste being diverted from landfill in 2000-01.

What can I put in my bin?

• lawn clippings;
• garden prunings;
• leaves:
• twigs;
• branches and unpainted/untreated timber (less than 50cm in length and 7cm in diameter). This length is suggested so it does not protrude above the lid of the bin as this can cause problems with the truck when emptying the bin.

Why is it important to keep contamination out of the bin?
In January 2001, Soilco Pty Ltd commenced the removal and processing of Council’s green waste kerbside collection service from the landfill site at Whytes Gully Waste Disposal Depot at Kembla Grange. Soilco process the green waste kerbside collection for a number of markets, including soil mixes, compost based potting mixes, and mine rehabilitation.

Frequent contamination items found in bin:

• plastic bags and plastics;
• fruit and vegetable scraps;
• building materials;
• animal droppings;
• dirt and rocks;
• sawdust;
• rubbish.

Contamination is detected as the bin is being emptied via a closed circuit TV monitor located in the truck. If the driver sights contamination, a sticker will be placed on the lid of the bin stating what the contamination was, and the bin can be refused service.

Because of the high contamination levels in the green waste it became necessary for Soilco to employ people to remove as much contamination as possible from the green waste before being processed. This cost is then passed onto the consumer when purchasing the final product.

Green waste dropped off by residents is kept separate from Council’s kerbside collection service.  The green waste dropped off by the public is mulched and is usually available free of charge to the general public. he mulch is available at both Helensburgh and Whytes Gully Waste Disposal Depots.