Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has received a response from its waste contractor JR Richards and Sons following a request for information on the management of recyclables that are collected from households and businesses in the Port Macquarie-Hastings.
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The information received from JR Richards provides details on the processing and handling of waste and recycling in the region, including the recycling outcomes for items including paper, glass, plastics and metals.
This follows an ABC 4 Corners program that aired in recent weeks regarding the management of recyclables in various states around Australia.
“Importantly, JR Richards has confirmed that they have not and do not engage in disposing of recyclable material to landfill,” said council director Matt Rogers.
“JR Richards also confirmed that they did not landfill or store any material outside the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area, and are working within the applicable framework supplied by the State Government and other applicable regulatory authorities.”
The information received noted that 14,638 tonnes of recyclable materials were recycled within our region during 2016/2017, comprising of 54.2% (7,934 tonnes) paper and cardboard, 35.7% (5,229 tonnes) glass, 5.6% (815 tonnes) plastics and 4.5% (660 tonnes) metals.
Paper, metals and plastics are on sold to established recycling processors and there are sound markets for these materials. Glass is wholly processed and reused on the mid north coast for a range of purposes including road making and pipe laying.
“Council thanks the community for the great work in recycling, and will continue to focus on waste education programs that look after our environment and reduce community costs,” Mr Rogers said.
