Landfill sites in Braidwood, Araluen, Majors Creek, Nerriga and the surrounding region have been staked out and the 'rubbish' analysed in recent weeks as part of Palerang Council's Resource Recovery Project.
The on-ground surveys and discussions with local residents have been carried out by members of a research team from Pryor Knowledge (ACT), engaged by Palerang Council for the project. The team spent time at the coal face, meeting locals as they dropped their rubbish at the tip, as well as looking into, taking samples and analysing waste from kerbside collection bins.
Around 100 residents have also taken part in a series of regional workshops and discussions to consider ways of reducing and managing the region's waste.
"We have learnt a lot about the type of materials thrown out in this region and how they might see themselves managing waste in the future," Geoff Pryor, Director of Pryor Knowledge said.
Geoff leads the team engaged by Palerang Council to develop a Resource Recovery Strategy for Council. Council's aim in commissioning the Strategy is to find a cost effective way to turn waste into resources and minimise the amount of waste going to landfills.
The Strategy will enable Council to effectively manage waste for its residents and local businesses. This action follows the adoption of the Palerang Waste Strategy 2005-2025 last year.
"Our public consultations have raised important issues," Geoff says. "In general, people are very positive about recycling, but there's some scepticism about how many people are likely to do it and about how effective our current systems really are.
"Some local comments suggest people from outside the Shire might be an important source of much of the waste which is disposed of at the various landfill sites in the Shire.
"Feedback received from participants also raises the issue of how people can be either encouraged to recycle, possibly by introducing some form of financial incentive, or by introducing some form of enforcement.
"Much of what we now throw out is really valuable and can be turned to productive use in other ways" Geoff said. "It just means moving away from a throw-out mentality and the idea that we have endless resources to make new products and endless space to fill up with ‘waste'.
"In the Palerang area there's the potential for greater economic returns from ‘waste' through developing more effective recycling. It might even be possible for a local community association to develop a recycling related business venture with returns for the wider community.
While the public consultation forums have finished, there are still ways that people can have a say. If you want to know more, material will soon be on the Council web site or you can contact the project Consultants, Pryor Knowledge (ACT) Pty Ltd, on 0428 930 198.
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