Noosa Council’s Matt Culph is fast becoming known as our waste warrior.
He’s stationed at the Eumundi Road Landfill to help residents better understand what they can recycle, what rubbish they can drop off for free and how they can save money.
“Most people are genuinely surprised when you explain what can be recycled,” he said.
Matt is at the tip most days as part of a concerted council education campaign to get residents to sort their load before heading to the local landfill site.
Sorting your load is quite easy and just takes a little time when loading the rubbish.
The best way to do it is to sort the load as you place the items in the vehicle or trailer.
Place the scrap metal in a pile, put the cardboard in another section and separate the recyclables and old electrical items, so when you get to the waste facility, there are special bins where you can drop it off at no charge.
Matt will even give you a hand to discard the waste.
“We all have a role to play in reducing what goes to the landfill, so the more I can help, the better it is for the environment,” he said.
Waste Services manager Kyrone Dodd said there was mounting pressure on the community to reduce what is sent to landfill.
“The State Government has placed a target of getting 80 per cent of waste diverted from landfill by 2030, so we need to act now,” he said.
Noosa is currently diverting about 47 per cent a year.
“The change has to come from all users and if everyone takes time to sort their load, this can prove beneficial in reducing our waste and be a cost saver as well,” Mr Dodd said.
Items that can be dumped for free include:
– Metals and steel.
– White goods.
– Cardboard.
– Electronic waste such as TVs, computers, laptops, kettles.
– Old paint cans and oils.
There are special bins at the transfer station where you can drop off the items, before heading to the landfill to dispose of your rubbish.
