Town of Cottesloe wins award following successful waste management initiative

20/8/99
Helping residents and ratepayers become champion recyclers has resulted in the Town of Cottesloe winning the 1999 State Recycling and Waste Reduction Local Government Award.
Environment Minister Cheryl Edwardes recently announced the prestigious award which is a Department of Environmental Protection initiative.
"The Town of Cottesloe introduced a Waste Management Strategy in 1998 to ensure a significant reduction in the amount of waste going to landfill," Mrs Edwardes said.
"Within six months, the system has already achieved a 34 per cent landfill waste diversion.
"The tonnage of recyclable material collected has doubled and the tonnage of green waste being recycled from verge collections has increased substantially.
"Initial results are extremely pleasing and the strategy has been embraced wholeheartedly by the local community."
Town of Cottesloe households are now utilising a 120 litre green Mobile Garbage Bin, which is collected weekly, and a 240 litre yellow lidded Mobile Garbage Bin for recyclable material, collected fortnightly.
Kerbside bulk and green waste collections occur four times a year with green waste chipped by the contractor on site.
The green waste is then recycled into mulch to put back into gardens, subsequently improving the quality of Cottesloe soil and aiding water retention.
The waste minimisation system extends to commercial properties within the municipality.
"The Town of Cottesloe has made it as easy as possible for the local community to recycle and make a hands-on contribution to reducing the amount of waste going to landfill," Mrs Edwardes said.
"A comprehensive education program enabled the smooth introduction of the system.
" Each household in the town received a special package consisting of a video, colour brochure and fridge magnet when their new bins were developed.
"Ongoing information and support maintains strong community awareness for the need to minimise waste."
Mrs Edwardes said the Town of Cottesloe was now building on its initial program with volunteer 'Earth Carers' providing a community outreach service.
Council staff were also practicing composting and worm farming.
"The Town of Cottesloe is a very worthy winner and an example to other local municipalities in Western Australia,"
the Minister said.
The award was one of nine 1999 State Recycling and Waste Reduction Awards announced recently.
Media contact: Kaye Hopkins 9421 7777