Dubbo residents recognise the potential for recycling

Across NSW, people are creating less waste, particularly landfill, but Dubbo residents are looking for further ways to increase the amount of that waste that can be recycled.

An audit conducted by council revealed 60 per cent of household waste that went to landfill was organic matter.

The challenge now for council is to transfer that to recycling, according to Dubbo City Council's asset systems engineer Michael McCulloch.

"To further increase Dubbo's resource recovery/diversion from waste stream (in line with state government policy), council is exploring options in respect of diverting garden and food waste from the 'domestic' waste stream," he said.

According to Dubbo City Council, 3500 tonnes of dry recycling were collected in 2013-14 including 1000 tonnes of glass, 69 tonnes of steel cans, 149 tonnes of plastic containers and 2240 tonnes of paper and cardboard.

The state government is pushing local governments to reduce their waste and have provided $250 million across five years to make improvements to recycling and waste treatment infrastructure. They have set a target of diverting 75 per cent of waste away from landfill by 2021.

Mr McCulloch said the council was currently looking at funding opportunities available to them under the Waste Less Recycling More (WLRM) program.

They have already secured a grant of $86,932 to construct a Community Recycling Centre at the Whylandra Waste and Recycling Centre under the WLRM.

The centre is expected to provide improved facilities for the receival of targeted household wastes including batteries, fluorescent lamps, paints, smoke detectors, gas cylinders and oils.

It is currently being designed and is expected to be completed during 2014-15.

Statewide during the 2012-13 financial year, households created 3.47 million tonnes, a reduction of 50,000 tonnes on the previous year. Just over 2 million tonnes was landfill, while the remaining 1.45 tonnes was recycled.

"These figures show significant investment is needed to provide better recycling infrastructure and education for families," NSW Environment Minister Rob Stokes said.