The City of Coffs Harbour is embarking on a transformative journey towards smarter waste and resource management with the recent adoption of its new Resource Recovery and Waste Strategy.
The comprehensive plan, unveiled at Waste 2025, the annual waste conference held in Coffs Harbour, sets a clear roadmap for the next 16 years, aiming to significantly reduce waste sent to landfill and foster a more circular economy.
Mayor Nikki Williams highlighted the significance of this milestone, stating, “we now have a clear and achievable roadmap to guide us through the next 16 years of smarter waste resource recovery and management.”
“This strategy marks a significant step towards a more circular economy, one where we reduce the creation of waste and maximise opportunities for recycling and reuse.”
Nikki says the development of the strategy comes at a crucial time for Coffs Harbour with the local government area’s landfill nearing its capacity, as well as increasing regulatory demand.
She says it’s more important than ever for the city to innovate, collaborate and harness economies of scale to meet the community’s increasing waste needs in the most cost-efficient way.
The current waste generation figures also underscore the urgency for action.
“Currently, the average household in Coffs Harbour produces about 1400 kilograms of waste each year – 400 kilograms of that is from the red bin. With a large growing population of 80,000 residents, this reinforces the need to reduce, recover, recycle our waste streams while avoiding products going into landfill wherever possible,” she says.
A key aspect of the strategy is collaboration. The City of Coffs Harbour is working with neighbouring councils on the Mid North Coast, fostering a consistent and progressive approach to waste management that benefits from economies of scale.
Nikki says this regional collaboration is expected to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of waste services across the coast.
To further engage the community and provide convenient access to information, the Coffs Coast Waste App was recently launched.
The app was designed to help residents stay informed and organised by providing bin collection reminders, recycling disposal information and interactive maps with drop off and disposal points.
Future updates to the app will include more features such as access to bulky waste collection services and vouchers.
The success of the strategy also relies heavily on partnerships with industry players. The city recently welcomed JJ Richards and Sons as the new waste collection and processing service provider.
Nikki says JJ Richards brings a strong commitment to customer service and decades of localised industry experience as well as a focus on efficiency and innovation.
“With all stakeholders working together, I’m confident we can divert more waste from landfill and deliver lasting environmental, economic and community benefits,” she says.
Looking ahead, Nikki is optimistic about the future of waste management in Coffs Harbour.
“Here on the Coffs Coast, we stand at the edge of an exciting decade of transformation in how we may create waste and recover resources. We’ve got a forward-thinking strategy in place and a solid commitment to innovation, collaboration and community engagement. I am confident we can create meaningful, lasting change.”
The City of Coffs Harbour’s new Resource Recovery and Waste Strategy represents a significant commitment to environmental sustainability and efficient resource management.
Through a combination of strategic planning, regional collaboration, technological innovation, and community engagement, Coffs Harbour is poised to make significant strides in reducing its environmental footprint and building a more sustainable future for its residents.
.png){kind=small}
