A FOURTH rubbish bin and a container deposit scheme are options Moyne Shire Council is considering to address the state's recycling crisis.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Moyne Shire Council mayor Mick Wolfe said officers have been asked to investigate options to prevent all waste being dumped into landfill.
"No decisions have been made yet but we've asked officers to explore options on what we can do," Councillor Wolfe said.
He said China was refusing to accept newspaper waste because of cross contamination.
"China won't accept newspapers or newspaper products because they're impregnated with glass," Cr Wolfe said. "If we have only glass in a separate bin, China will take it.
"The other option is a container deposit scheme."
Cr Wolfe said the council was disappointed the state government hadn't done more to address the recycling crisis.
"Landfill is our only option at the moment," he said.
"We can't store it - if we would, we could, but we can't. We can't store it so we have to dispose of it."
Cr Wolfe said councillors across the state believe the state government should build a recycling facility using funds raised by the landfill levy.
"At the moment no funds have been released - it's been thrown back on us as our problem," he said.
"The shires and ratepayers have contributed to the fund - let's use it. Don't just hold the money. Use it for what it's for."
Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D'Ambrosio pointed the finger squarely at recycler SKM when asked about the issue while visiting the Mortlake South Wind Farm last week.
"What's really important to understand here and always remember is where this started," Ms D'Ambrosio said.
"It started with a rogue operator, SKM - a cowboy in the industry.
"I've said this many times and I remain absolutely true to this consideration - SKM have been in repeated breach of EPA regulations."
She said normal recycling processes could return to normal once SKM complied with the conditions imposed by the EPA.
Ms D'Ambrosio said the government was working closely with councils to help them identify alternative processes in the short-term.
RELATED CONTENT: Moyne Shire has nowhere to send its recyclable materials
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.