Changes provide an environmental edge

The tourist hot spots of Hastings Street, Noosa Junction and Sunshine Beach Village had their first upgraded rubbish collections on Friday which Noosa Council says will be “quieter, quicker and better for the environment”.
A 2-in-1 truck collects both rubbish and recycling into separate compartments.
Council’s waste manager Wayne Schafer said reducing the number of trucks in the area meant less fuel was being used and fewer emissions released.
Mr Schafer said that being smaller the 2-in-1 waste truck could fit into tighter locations, which would therefore enable council to install and service public recycling bins in more locations.
“Plus, it has a built-in device to wash out street litter bins to help reduce odours, with all of the runoff being collected in the truck,” he said.
The council is also rolling out a suite of new battery-powered leaf blowers, pole saws and power tools for outdoor staff.
“As well as being better for the environment, the battery-powered tools are quieter and lighter than the two-stroke machines they’ve replaced, plus they overcome the need for staff to handle fuel,” procurement manager Phill Parkman said.