Waste initiatives for peak holiday season

Published on 19 December 2019

Waste initiatives for peak holiday season

Solar-powered compaction rubbish bins across the Otways, extra kerbside recycling collections and additional opening hours at the Apollo Bay Waste Transfer Station aim to tackle holiday-period waste challenges in Colac Otway Shire.

Colac Otway Shire Service and Operations Manager Frank Castles said Colac Otway Shire would be inundated with visitors over the peak summer period and Christmas-New Year generated extra recycling for many residents.

“Following the success of solar-powered compaction bins at Apollo Bay, which significantly improved issues with overflowing rubbish on peak tourism days and public holidays, Council has introduced them at other locations,” Mr Castles said.

“The bins are solar powered, compact the waste and we can monitor the waste levels for collection, to avoid waste overflowing at peak holiday times.

“We now have the smart bins, which also restrict people from dumping bags of domestic waste, at Lavers Hill, Gellibrand, Beech Forest and Colac’s Memorial Square.

“Colac Otway Shire has also introduced summer opening hours at Apollo Bay’s Transfer Station to accommodate locals and holiday makers with extra waste for disposal.

“From 26 December until 2 February, the transfer station is open from 10am to 2pm, seven days a week, except Christmas Day and New Year’s Day,” he said.

“Colac Otway will also provide weekly recycling collections for four weeks from 26 December.”