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THOUSANDS of households across five suburbs in Bendigo will soon see their garden refuse, kitchen scraps and meat converted into compost.
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The City of Greater Bendigo announced Wednesday that 2800 homes in two collection areas will trial the new organic waste kerbside collection.
From September, general waste wheelie bin collection in the trial zones will be reduced to once a fortnight, with the new green bins being collected in intervening weeks.
Waste services manager Simon Clay said council would use the trial to introduce the new system to the community and to identify and solve problems before it is rolled out across urban areas next year.
To help answer questions and monitor concerns, council also announced the appointment of an organics project officer, Bridgette McDougall.
“It’s my job to assist in the implementation of trial and from there I’ll be the community’s point of contact,” she said.
"I'm the person to call if people have any questions about the service – or complaints.”
Ms McDougall said she would be visiting homes in the trial areas to education people on how to use the new bins.
As part of the trial, participants will receive a new 240 litre bin, as well as a kitchen caddy and compostable caddy liners.
Meat and seafood, pizza boxes, tissues, cat litter, small plants and hair are among the items which will be collected in the new bins.
Nappies, dead animals, treated timber, garden furniture and even biodegradable bags are among items that will contaminate the refuse.
“The caddy liners provided are compostable liners, but normal plastic bags – even biodegrable bags – will be a contaminant if they are put in the bin,” Ms McDougall said.
The two trial collection areas include parts of Kennington, Strathdale, East Bendigo, White Hills and North Bendigo.
Residents in the collection areas will receive their new bins and equipment later this month and should start using them from September 3.
Ms McDougall called on residents to accept their may be teething problems.
“It’s really important that people get into the trial and try it first before they jump to any conclusions – that is what we’re doing a trial for,” she said.
For more information see the City of Greater Bendigo’s website or contact Bridgette McDougall on 5454 9523 or 0439 283 628.
