Letters to the editor

Firstly, I thank Megan for her in-principle support for collecting food and garden waste so as it is not sent to landfill.

The purpose of the organics trial is to test the fortnightly collection of waste (red lid bin) and organics (lime green lid bin) on alternate weeks.

Feedback from participants is most welcome and will be used to shape the final service, which will be delivered to most parts of Greater Bendigo from July 2016.

It is important to note that city staff do not believe it is “OK” for people to be exposed to bacteria such as E. coli, but it would be expected bacteria would be present in waste that has been sitting in a bin, regardless of the length of time.

Bacteria and other micro-organisms such as fungi are common in the breakdown of organic matter and are the main reason composting works.

The Chartered Institution of Waste Management in the United Kingdom conducted a study in 2009 into the potential health effects of a fortnightly waste collection.

A wide-ranging literature review was conducted but there was no evidence of a direct link between the frequency of waste collection and any health impacts for householders or waste collectors.

The review did find that there are some issues associated with collection frequency such as the incidence of flies, the risk of exposure to bacteria or airborne micro-organisms from both kitchen and garden organic waste materials.

Although householders and waste collectors could be affected by these factors, the study concluded that simple precautions would limit any increased risk associated with a fortnightly collection rather than a weekly collection.

To limit the spread of bacteria or attracting flies, the city has provided compostable bin liners to trial participants to place their food waste in.

In preparing for the trial, the city reviewed more than 35 councils that have introduced a combined food and organics collection system with fortnightly collection.

Only one council reported having an issue with flies but this was because they tried to re-use a number of old lids and fitted to new bins.

As the old lids were warped and did not fit properly, they allowed flies into the bins. Replacing the bins fixed this problem and every organics trial participant in Greater Bendigo has a new bin.

Within Greater Bendigo, approximately 90 per cent of households currently put their waste bin out for collection each week, so the remaining 10 per cent of people are having their bin collected fortnightly and have not reported any health impacts.

Of course, good personal hygiene is a must and washing hands after handling waste is important.

A 2012 UK study found faecal bacteria present on 26 per cent of hands in the UK, 14 per cent of banknotes and 10 per cent of credit cards.

The city’s organics trial involves a weekly waste collection which alternates between food and garden waste in one week and remaining waste the other week.

This is being trialled because if it works effectively it will provide the most cost-effective solution to getting food and garden waste out of landfill.

Bendigo City Council is no longer run in a democratic way - democracy is dead.

It is more than obvious now that if you don’t agree with the mayor and his cohorts you are out of the loop.

It is time now to sack this council and bring back the commissioners.