Central Coast Council has engaged Sydney-based start-up RecycleSmart for a three-month trial, offering free on-demand collection of tricky recyclables from the doorsteps of local residents’ homes.
The trial marks RecycleSmart’s first partnership with a regional council, and the beginning of the service’s expansion to local government areas outside of Sydney – with an interstate partnership due to be announced soon.
Giorgio Baracchi, RecycleSmart Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder said: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to trial the service in our first ever regional council, and prove just how flexible RecycleSmart can be in meeting the needs of councils big, small, metropolitan and rural.”
The program is intended to help the council collect data and feedback from residents, to determine what type of recycling service might be of interest and benefit to the wider community.
Andrew Pearce, Central Coast Council Unit Manager for Waste and Resource Recovery, said the RecycleSmart collection program also aims to reduce the number of recyclable materials that end up in landfill.
“There is often confusion among residents over how to correctly dispose of tricky recyclables such as soft plastics, clothes, e-waste and problem waste like polystyrene, batteries and smoke alarms,” Pearce said.
“Also, having to visit different drop-off locations is often an inconvenience and disincentive. This potentially being a contributing factor to material that could be recycled ending up in landfill or in the wrong bin.
“A from-home recycling service can potentially help reduce this, which is why we’re calling for the community to get involved and help us deliver a service that works for both them and the environment.
“If the program is determined to be a success and of benefit and interest to the local community, a long-term program may be implemented at a later date and following a tender process.”
Residents wanting to take part in the trial can register via the RecycleSmart website or mobile app. The RecycleSmart app’s Recyclopedia feature provides specific and localised information on how to correctly dispose of more than 250 waste items, including soft plastics, clothes, e-waste and problem waste like polystyrene, batteries and smoke alarms.
For more information, visit: www.recyclesmart.com.au
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