Armidale Dumaresq Council (ADC) has received $10,000 from The Coca Cola Foundation and the Keep Australia Beautiful Organisation, as part of a grants program to encourage recycling and reduce waste in landfill.
The Keep Australia Beautiful grant, funded by The Coca-Cola Foundation, will enable ADC to implement both permanent and portable recycling infrastructure to parks and recreational reserves across the council.
The focus of the nationwide Community Grants Scheme is on increasing away-from-home recycling, through practical projects that leave a legacy and do not duplicate existing recycling activities. Project results must be measurable and show how recycled materials are being collected and diverted from landfill.
“Armidale Dumaresq Council was selected as their project provides a clear and tangible outcome for increasing the recycling rate of beverage containers in public places,” said Peter McLean, CEO of Keep Australia Beautiful NSW.
“With only just over half the total waste produced in Australia each year being recycled, this project provides an option for the public to recycle their beverage containers when they are out and about.”
James Turnell, Senior Engineer and Solid Waste for ADC was delighted to receive the grant.
“We are keen for our community to play a role in increasing the recycling rates of beverage containers and this grant will help assist with providing the infrastructure and recycling education needed to engage the public in this process,” said Mr Turnell
ADC’s Utilities Technical Officer Mark Byrne, who was instrumental in winning the grant for Council, said that the money will go halfway towards meeting project costs for creating seven permanent and 15 portable recycling three-bin systems. These systems contain two bins for recycling and one for regular rubbish in the centre.
“In discussions so far we have decided the permanent bins should definitely go in the mall, on Rologas Sports Field, McDonald Park and the Arboretum. Other suggested places are Civic Park, the netball courts and Curtis Park,” said Mr Byrne.
As for the 15 mobile three-bin systems, these will be placed wherever required, such as at sports or entertainment events.
