COURTNEY TAYLOR MOANE
Hundreds of tones of garden waste are expected to be diverted from landfill following Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate’s decision to make green waste bins available throughout the Gold Coast.
Green waste bins were previously only available in urban areas of the coast, but Gold Coast Council will now offer the bins to residential properties throughout the Gold Coast.
Currumbin Waters, Elanora, Mudgeeraba, Nerang, Ormeau, Pimpama, Tallebudgera, Upper Coomera and Yatala are just some of the areas that will now have the opportunity to get a green waste bin.
City of Gold Coast council is currently running a green waste bin promotion, which enables Gold Coast residents to have a green waste bin at their homes for $1 per week.
The promotion will run until February 29, 2020.
Mayor Tom Tate said not only was the expansion of the green waste bin program amazing news for Gold Coast locals who hadn’t had access to the green waste bins previously, but it was also amazing news for the environment.
“Last year more than 7500 tonnes of green waste was collected as a part of this service and turned into compost,” Mr Tate said.
“We want to see that figure close to 30,000 tonnes,” he said.
“Whether you’re a green thumb or just a part time gardener, order your green waste bin now because recycling at home will make a difference!” Mr Tate said.
According to council, the green waste bin service started in 2013 and is currently being used in more than 30,000 homes.
Green waste bins can be used to dispose of green waste, including grass clippings, palm fronds, pruning, weeds, leaves and small branches.
Ormeau local Jamie Graham said having access to a green waste bin was great for her property, which is on acreage.
“Living on an acreage with heaps of animals, we have a lot of green waste, so it’s great that the Gold Coast City Council have given us the chance to be able to have our own green waste bin at our disposal,” Ms Graham said.
Josh Rule from Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group said when green waste was added to regular household waste bins, it was ultimately dumped in landfill.
Mr Rule said when green waste decomposed in landfill it produced odorous gases and methane, which had a global warming potential that was considerably greater than carbon dioxide.
However, he said when green waste was put in a green waste bin it was composted, which was a natural decomposition using oxygen that was generally better for the environment.
“Whichever way you look at it, when you recycle your green waste correctly everyone wins,” Mr Rule said.
To find out more about green waste bin services in the Gold Coast visit cityofgoldcoast.com.au/greenwastebin
It’s great that you touched on changing the waste into compost so it’s not wasted. My brother is trying to do a lot of landscape work this year. I think it’s a great idea for him to hire a garbage removal company so that none of the waste starts to pile up on his property.