By Ewen McRae
Moorabool council will be forced to send kerbside recycling material to landfill following the closure of recycling company SKM.
SKM was declared insolvent by the Supreme Court on August 2, leaving more than 30 councils across Victoria without a recycling supplier.
Moorabool council entered into a two-week arrangement with a small operation near Ballarat that has now reached capacity, leaving Moorabool without a recycling alternative.
Council community assets and infrastructure general manager Phil Jeffrey said the SKM decision was impacting on numerous councils and made finding suitable replacements difficult.
“Moorabool is one of more than 30 Victorian councils engaged in contracts with SKM,” he said.
“Last week, SKM Corporate was declared insolvent and the company has ceased accepting recyclable materials.
“Council was able to engage a small regional company to take the shire’s recyclables in the short term, but this has now reached capacity.
“The remaining industry recyclers are currently experiencing extreme demand from numerous councils and therefore council will be sending recyclable materials to landfill in the short term until a sustainable arrangement can be secured.
“We will keep the community posted on our website and Facebook pages.
“Council greatly appreciates the community’s understanding during this complex statewide issue. We encourage residents to continue to sort recycling as we look to secure another receival facility.”
Melton council, which has a recycling contract with Visy, urged residents to continue recycling as normal, with mayor Bob Turner saying recycling impacts all residents.
“This is about keeping our city clean, keeping landfill to a minimum and reducing associated costs,” Cr Turner said last week.
“If you’re putting the right things in your yellow bin, then your household recyclables are going to the right place, so please continue recycling.”
