Wodonga continues to lead the way in kerbside waste resource recovery, with the city recording the second-highest rate in Victoria of keeping recyclable materials – including organics – out of landfill.
The city recorded an impressive recycling rate of 69.7 per cent, compared to the statewide average of 45 per cent.
Bass Coast Shire Council holds the number one spot, with a kerbside recycling rate of 75.8%.
The data was collected in the Victorian Local Government Annual Waste Services Survey of Victoria’s 79 municipalities, which was carried out between August 2019 and April 2020.
Due to a lag time in the compilation of the data, the survey findings have only recently been released.
The wider North East region also performed well in the survey. The council areas of Alpine, Benalla, Indigo, Mansfield, Wodonga and Wangaratta collectively recorded a kerbside diversion rate of 57.4 per cent.
Wodonga Council’s Manager Environment and Community Protection, Mark Verbaken, praised local householders for embracing the waste diversion message.
“Through our Halve Waste partnership with AlburyCity and surrounding councils, we’re showing that community dedication to the cause is making us leaders in this hugely important mission,” he said.
Wodonga Mayor Kev Poulton said it was pleasing to see such great results from the Halve Waste education message.
“This has been a really rewarding journey with residents and businesses engaging with the program and playing a central role in leading us towards halving the amount of waste our wider community sends to landfill,” he said.
“By slashing the amount of waste we bury, we’re building a legacy of a greener future for our children and grandchildren – and now the challenge is on to make Wodonga number one in kerbside recycling!”
The survey has been taking place since 2000 and captures information about the amount of waste collected and costs relating to waste services, with a focus on the three waste streams of garbage, recyclables and organics collections.