Waste collection still at risk

Recycling company says it may still quit

A RECYCLING company that warned it was about to suspend its council waste collection has put off the move, but has not withdrawn the threat.

SKM Recycling has threatened to stop its Victorian council services unless it received assurances about any prosecutions it may face from last year’s 11-day Coolaroo blaze.

It has also called on the State Government to provide access to taxpayer funds or further help to ensure its “ongoing operations remain viable”.

The Geelong Advertiser revealed on Thursday that SKM Recycling — which has contracts with all five Geelong region councils — had stated that it would stop receiving materials from last night.

SKM business director Robert Italiano laid out the terms in an extraordinary email to Energy, Environment and Climate Change Minister Lily D’Ambrosio.

Mr Italiano said the Worksafe and EPA investigations following the Coolaroo blaze and subsequent legal changes put the company at considerable business risk.

“This has now put SKM in the situation that it is not able to leave itself open to any further regulatory action by continuing to accept material,” the email says. He told the minister’s office the “EPA and WorkSafe must provide certainty on the status of the investigation and inform SKM if they intend to prosecute”.

Mr Italiano also asked for a “clear understanding” on what government industry funding was available.

“What other help, if any, will government provide to ensure the ongoing operations remain viable and the employ- ment SKM provides secured,” Mr Italiano’s email said.

Mr Italiano said he had notified the Australian Workers’ Union about its intentions to shut down kerbside collections, which could impact jobs.

However, an SKM spokesman yesterday said it had deferred its decision on suspending operations, but had not withdrawn the threat.

There were still a range of regulatory and funding issues that needed to be resolved through negotiations, the spokesman said.

Ms D’Ambrosio earlier told the Geelong Advertiser 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 said.

She said the other options including redirecting recyclables to other processors, and interim storage sites.