Dubbo Regional Council has entered into a contract with JR Richards for a three bin system to be implemented in Dubbo. It would see the introduction of a Food and Garden Organic Waste bin which is expected to account for the bulk of a household’s waste.

However, residents are still fighting the decision.

A large number of people on the Daily Liberal Facebook page said they were strongly against the new bin. Arguments against the introduction of a three bin system ranged from it not being needed as households were not generating enough waste to concerns about stinky nappies.

Dubbo Regional Council mayor Ben Shields said he was committed to listen to the members of the community who were against the plan.

“The council decision to prepare and enter this tender is legally binding. Any attempt to simply tear up the tender contract is just not feasible. The costs in terms of fees and legal costs would undoubtedly be extensive probably running into millions of dollars,” he said in his mayoral column.

Cr Shields said he would take out a fine-tooth comb and review the contract.

As it currently stands the organic bin would be collected weekly with the general waste and recycling bins collected on alternate weeks. There’s an option to have the general waste collected weekly at an extra cost.

However, Cr Shields said he has asked for council staff to look into the cost of having ever household’s general waste collected weekly.

Residents have been vocal in their response to the bin.

“Give people in Wellington the second bin before talking about a damn third! And to be quite honest as a mum with a young baby who is still in nappies I don't particularly feel comfortable having dirty nappies stinking up my bin for two weeks! We fill a garbage bin to neatly overflowing in a week!” Kristen Maree said on the Daily Liberal Facebook page.

Kylie Edwards said: “My housemate and I both travel a lot for work. Neither of us has kids. We have a gardener who mows the lawn and takes the clippings with him. Our recycling by the end of the 2nd week is full because we are diligent. Our general waste bin a lot of weeks only has 1 small grocery sized bag in it. The third bin is going to be redundant in this house.”.

Mary Salmon had a different view.

“We have had three bins for years on central coast. General rubbish is emptied weekly then alternate weeks for recycled and grass/garden clippings etc. It works well,” she said.