In good news for Nillumbik, recycling is expected to resume shortly as contractor SKM starts to reopen processing facilities.
Nillumbik usually delivers its recyclable materials to an SKM facility in Coolaroo, which is expected to be operational within weeks.
But Council is trying to negotiate to deliver to another facility until Coolaroo reopens.
SKM’s Laverton North facility opened on Monday, 23 September and is now accepting recyclable materials from councils including Moonee Valley, Melbourne and Port Phillip. These councils formerly delivered to the Laverton facility.
Council chief executive officer Carl Cowie said Coolaroo was expected to be operational in coming weeks as a condition of a $10 million State Government loan to SKM receivers KordaMentha.
“Nillumbik is attempting to negotiate with KordaMentha to accept Nillumbik’s material at the Laverton site until the Coolaroo site opens,” Mr Cowie said.
“We will continue to keep residents updated on the situation as more news becomes available.”
In the meantime, Nillumbik’s recycling is unfortunately still going to landfill with alternative recycling processors at capacity.
Nillumbik Mayor Karen Egan thanked residents for their patience as Council worked to find a way through what is a national crisis.
“Nillumbik residents are among the best recyclers in Victoria and I encourage you to continue your efforts through our kerbside collection,” Cr Egan said.
Council’s Recycling and Recovery Centre at 190 Yan Yean Rd, Plenty, is also open to the public to drop off paper, cardboard and metals for recycling.
The cardboard and paper is collected by Veolia and taken to the VISY paper plant in Coolaroo, where it is made into new recycled packaging. The metals are taken to Ecocycle where they are sorted and then recycled locally and overseas.
