City of Greater Bendigo resource recovery and education manager Brooke Pearce said about 55 per cent of waste deposited on the tipping face at the landfill is recyclable.

“This is material that could have been diverted from landfill and recycled. The conversion to a transfer station will allow us to increase the separation and recovery of recyclable materials from the waste stream, which means that less will end up in landfill,” she said. 

Read more: Where next for Bendigo’s waste

“Residents will still be able to dispose of their household waste and recyclables at the site, and by sorting their load prior they will save on disposal costs.”

Domestic quantities of recyclable materials will be accepted at the site free of charge, including co-mingled recyclables, ferrous and non-ferrous metals, paper, cardboard and polystyrene.

Domestic green waste will also be accepted free of charge from July 1. 

With the Eaglehawk landfill likely to close in 2021-22, the City of Greater Bendigo is preparing itself for life in post-landfill Victoria. 

Landfill levies, paid by the COGB to the state government, are a contributing factor.

The council paid close to $5 million to the Environmental Protection Authority in 2016-17 in levies, a figure which will be almost identical this financial year. 

A levy of $63.28/tonne of waste is charged by the EPA, with the council expected to dispose of close to 100,000 tonnes this financial year.

The COGB is in the midst of a waste review, which will consider a number of alternative options, including the benefits of a waste-to-energy facility.

The Heathcote transfer station will operate from 8am to 5pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

A full list of what will be accepted at the transfer station is available at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au