Related: Cox slams green waste proposal
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Council has begun rolling out a new organic waste service which it says will save money, waste and the emission of dangerous gases – but not everyone is happy with the new green bins.
The City of Greater Bendigo has sent out letters to households within urban Bendigo and Marong informing residents of the new, compulsory service which will be implemented over coming months.
The fortnightly kerbside organic collection service will commence by September, with the 240 litre, lime green lidded bins to be delivered to households from next month.
The city argues the measure will save money in the long run, as it will reduce the amount of waste it sends to landfill and thus the amount spent on state government levies – currently about $3.5 million a year.
But some ratepayers are balking at the additional $63 they are being asked to pay for the new service.
Epsom resident Andrea Metcalf is putting up her hand to run for the Whipstick Ward at this year’s council election and is setting up a service to help people opt out of the green bin scheme.
“I have a dog, chooks, compost and Greenaway bins, so I don’t need it,” Ms Metcalf said.
“There’s plenty of other people like me who have compost, worm farms, chooks or whatever it may be, who are already managing their waste and they don’t need this service either.
“Many though are elderly, and may not be able to navigate the online exemption, so I’m setting up a service to help them opt out.”
Ms Metcalf remains angry the council chose to implement an organic waste service – which can dispose of material such as meat and bones, hair and pizza boxes – and not simply a garden waste service which she said could have been run in conjunction with local company Greenaway Bins.
“I think council is relying on the fact people won’t challenge their decision,” Ms Metcalf said.
A survey of participants in last year’s green bin trial green bin of 2,671 households found 92 per cent of respondents did make use of the new service.