Recycling in wheelie big trouble as company threatens closure
VICTORIAN councils are preparing to send residents’ recycling to landfill, with a key company threatening to shut its gates on them.
SKM Recycling — which provides services to 18 councils, including all five in the Geelong region — has warned it is prepared to stop receiving material from tonight.
The plan has been relayed to multiple councils, with the Municipal Association of Victoria and the State Government involved in talks to resolve the dispute.
Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio said alternative options were being explored to cope with SKM’s potential shutdown.
“We’re working with affected councils and the recycling sector to minimise any impact this closure may have on kerbside recycling,” she told the Geelong Advertiser.
“The Government is helping find alternative arrangements in the short-term — including redirecting recyclables to other processors, and interim storage options.”
The company has contracts with the Geelong, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Queenscliffe and Colac Otway councils.
City of Greater Geelong said its services — which are unchanged over the Easter period — would not be affected.
“We have spoken to SKM and were advised that the City’s recycling services will continue as normal,” city services director Guy WilsonBrowne said.
“We’re committed to ensuring kerbside recycling collection continues across the municipality despite recent changes to the global recycling industry.”
In an email seen by the Geelong Advertiser, a staff member from the state’s municipal association warns of the “strong risk” that SKM will stop accepting material.
“We are encouraging both the State (Government) and SKM to resolve this dispute,” the email, dated Tuesday evening, read.
“But both parties appear to be holding their ground and there is a strong risk that SKM will stop accepting material.
“Some councils have indicated that their contingency plan will be landfill, as most councils do not have stockpiling capacity.”