By MATT NICHOLLS
ARMIDALE is one of Australia’s pioneers when it comes to recycling.
In fact, it’s also a world leader.
Did you know that 62 per cent of items thrown out of homes in Armidale get recycled?
Armidale Recycling Centre manager Mark Low said a lot of people still didn’t know how far recycling had developed over the years.
“It’s no longer just bottles and cans and newspapers,” he said.
“We recycle tyres and oil and green waste and plenty of other things.
“Just because you can’t put something in the recycling tubs, doesn’t mean they don’t get recycled.
“In fact, we are even recycling plastic bags, which can be placed in your recycling tubs.”
Low employs 17 people at the recycling centre, located next to Armidale’s landfill, but said the community played a vital role in the process.
“One of the reasons we have the tubs and not recycling bins is because we are utilising the community to do the sorting for us,” he said.
“When you combine newspaper and cardboard with cans and bottles you can get contamination and there can be a lot more sorting to do.
“With the tubs we basically have 10,000 people working for us.”
Low said other councils were look at the Armidale Recycling Centre’s methods and adopting them.
“I live here and I’m passionate about recycling and that makes a big difference,” he said.
“We are seeing a trend where other councils are ditching their recycling bins and going back to tubs.”
Armidale has also introduced an “unlimited tub” system, where residents can recycle as much as they please.
“That’s been another great initiative and we are lucky that we have a really supportive council,” Low said.
More than 3600 tonnes of household waste was recycled last year, and that’s not including green waste, which topped 4000 tonnes.
“I think people in Armidale know we do a good job recycling, but I don’t think they realise that we’re one of the best in the country,” Low said.
