Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council embraces kerbside recycling

The Australian Food and Grocery Councils' Packaging Stewardship Forum (PSF) has provided new waste and recycling signage and fridge magnets as part of Councils community education program to educate residents on the new kerbside recycling systems.

Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council has funded a new waste and recycling collection truck, and is working towards the development of a resource recovery depot for storage of recyclable material and the provision of bulk recycling bins at the depot to the amount of approximately $800,000.

It is estimated that more than 100 tonnes of aluminium cans, PET and glass bottles, along with considerable additional tonnages of paper and cardboard, will be recycled annually through the new recycling systems.

Minister for Disability Services, Mental Health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, the Hon Curtis Pitt MP, congratulated the PSF and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council and said, "For the first time Yarrabah residents have the opportunity to recycle at home, just like other residents in cities and towns across Queensland. I congratulate the Shire Council and the PSF on their vision, hard work and support to help the Yarrabah community recycle."

Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor, Percy Neal, was excited about the new systems, including Council's purchase of the new waste and recycling truck at a cost of approximately $350,000 which had been financed solely from Council's limited funds. "Thanks to the support of the PSF we have the right recycling systems in place, supported by a shire wide education campaign on what to put in the new recycling bins. It is a win-win situation for all concerned including Council, the community and the environment" said Mr Neal.

General Manager of the PSF, Jenny Pickles, is delighted with how the community has embraced the new kerbside recycling systems and acknowledged Yarrabah for its fantastic efforts.

"Managing waste and recycling wisely has many benefits for remote and indigenous communities. To further increase community health and pride, reduce environmental harm, and increase the recover y of resources for recycling. The Yarrabah Shire Council and local community should be congratulated for their efforts. They are a shining example for other Queensland communities to follow," Ms Pickles said.

The PSF has also recently provided funding support to Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council to establish kerbside recycling services for their 1200 residents later this year.

Image: Yarrabah Aboriginal shire Council CEO, Leon Yeatman, and local school kids celebrate the new waste and recycling truck, bought solely by Council, and the new kerbside recycling bins.