SKM Recycling will not accept commercial recycling at its South Geelong site for the foreseeable future, according to Corio Waste Management, which sends mixed recycling to SKM.
It comes after a fire at the Coolaroo recycling plant in Melbourne’s north, which was recently deemed safe after burning for 11 days and forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate.
Corio Waste Management, CEO, Mat Dickens said the Coolaroo fire had significant consequences for the waste services industry and businesses in Victoria.
“For example, SKM Recycling’s South Geelong facility is the only facility that can accept and process commingled (mixed) recyclable material from commercial collections in the region,” he said.
“SKM Recycling informed us yesterday afternoon, that it can’t accept recycling from commercial collections in the foreseeable future. This decision does not affect contracts with councils in the region and kerbside recycling materials will continue to be accepted.”
Mr Dickens said Corio Waste Management will work with businesses in the Geelong region to review their current recycling practices.
“It will be necessary to make changes to the way businesses recycle by separating materials into individual streams: cardboard, paper, aluminium, plastics and glass. This will increase the need for additional collection services, which will be more costly to deliver. These program changes will also be complex to implement, but will result in more solid waste being recycled in Geelong, which benefits local industry,” Mr Dickens added.
SKM Recycling was contacted for comment.