AN ESTIMATED 50 tonnes of recyclables have been diverted from landfill since recycling bins were installed in busy public areas last year, the council says.
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Even more bins are planned for shopping strips and parks that attract high numbers of people, but some shopping centres are still without recycling services for customers.
Last December, the council installed 45 bins in high pedestrian traffic areas in Bendigo, Eaglehawk, Marong and Elmore.
"The public have been using the bins and the contamination levels are low," said Darren Fuzzard, the council's director of presentation and assets.
"It is estimated 50 tonnes of recyclables have been diverted from landfill since the bins were installed."
Event organisers can access recycling and waste bins from the council - but they often have to pay for it.
"[But] in many instances, the city's support package for an event does include access to these bins," Mr Fuzzard said.
Strath Village Shopping Centre is one major shopping centre in Bendigo yet to provide recycling bins for customers.
"It's definitely on the agenda," said centre manager Wendy James. "We're a community shopping centre and we're looking at how we can improve.”
A rollout of new recycling bins could begin early next year, she added.
At the Bendigo Marketplace, cardboard recycling is available for customers in the busy food court, but not in other areas of the shopping centre.
Operations manager Bert Schmid said the centre planned to look at the recycling issue as a whole, including expanding into green waste recycling for tenants.
As part of its recent development, Lansell Square in Kangaroo Flat installed more recycling bins.
It is estimated 50 tonnes of recyclables have been diverted from landfill since the bins were installed.
- Darren Fuzzard
"Co-mingle bins were installed throughout the mall and food court," said manager Ross McKay. "Customers are using these bins to separate their rubbish, in particular within the food court, with an increase in recycling habits observed."
"Lansell Square has a number of recycling practices in place to encourage both our customers and retailers to recycle their rubbish. Our retailers are provided with a co-mingle bin, which allows the separation of general waste and recyclable waste, plus a cardboard compactor and metal recycle bin.”
