A campaign has been launched by an alliance of 21 councils in a bid to halve the waste being landfilled at the Albury Waste Management Centre in southern NSW, which could run out of space in less than 20 years. Features of the campaign include free waste assessments for businesses, a schools waste education program and a home composting program with subsidised compost bins and training.

Project manager Mike Ritchie said the two year Halve Waste – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle campaign is “one of the most progressive and ambitious waste education and reform programs in Australia”.

It has been endorsed by mayors from Albury, Corowa, Greater Hume, Towong, Indigo and Wodonga and the 15 other councils represented by the Riverina and Murray Regional Organisation of Councils.

To kick-start the initiative, Albury Mayor Alice Glachan is calling on businesses and households to reduce their waste to landfill and improve recycling rates.

“Every business in Albury and the participating councils will be asked to sign up to a Halve Waste pledge,” Cr Glachan said.

“Of the 200,000 tonnes we landfill, as much as 70% can be recycled with existing technologies. That is a huge waste of resources which could be the source of lots of green jobs in recycling and resource recovery.

“Also keeping organics such as timber, food and grass clippings out of landfill is one of the best things we can do to reduce our greenhouse gases. This and capturing the methane gas from the landfill are the two most important things we can do from a climate change perspective.”

Businesses contribute around 62% of waste disposed in the landfill, so a team of experts will be visiting and advising businesses on new recycling options to reduce waste and save money.

Among the other initiatives the alliance is looking to introduce are:

• A business waste exchange putting producers of waste in touch with potential users;


• A resident waste exchange with options for recycling and a recycling guide;


• A new waste and recycling information website; and


• Waste education for the community.