Published on 16 August 2022
Hanging Rock Reserve has joined the rest of the shire in implementing proactive waste management practices by being one of the first reserves of its kind in Victoria to sport a four-bin recycling system.
Rolled out in July, the new recycling stations follow the same colour codes as Council’s household kerbside service: purple for Glass only; yellow for Recycling; green for FOGO – food and garden organics; and red for General Waste. Each bin also includes infographics to help identify what waste goes where.
Council hopes the new system will encourage visitors to think about how they dispose of waste and help achieve its goal of reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill. Visitors can find the stations around popular picnic and event areas at the reserve, including shelters, the oval, playground and restrooms.
Mayor Cr Jennifer Anderson was present to mark the launch of the new four-bin system along with Kerby (the mascot) and Hanging Rock staff. The mayor said she was proud to see the shire’s recycling initiative now implemented at Hanging Rock Reserve, a major tourist destination and event space for the Macedon Ranges.
‘Macedon Ranges Shire Council was one of the first councils in Victoria to introduce the four-bin recycling system. Offering this critical service in our open spaces will further reduce the amount of waste we are putting into landfill.”
“Hanging Rock Reserve is not only a popular place to visit; it is an important nature reserve, home to native flora and fauna. The four-bin recycling system encourages visitors to think about ways to reduce their waste to landfill for a healthier and safer environment for all,” she said.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has been proactively encouraging residents to try to reduce their waste overall by thinking about ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. It has achieved the highest diversion of resources from landfill of any council in Victoria since introducing the 4-bin system – with a 74% diversion rate. It is also one of only two councils in Australia to introduce a separate municipal- wide kerbside glass bin collection service. Since its implementation, the service has diverted over 4,689 tonnes of glass from landfill, significantly improving the quality of recycling generated within the shire.
Find more information about Council’s four-bin recycling system.