By Tate Papworth
Recyclable material from Brimbank’s kerbside collections will again be sent to landfill after the Environment Protection Authority slapped a ban on contractor SKM Recycling.
EPA Victoria on Thursday night ordered SKM to stop receiving recyclables at its glass recycling facility, leading to the closure of its four processing plants in Coolaroo, Laverton, Geelong and Hallam until further notice.
SKM advised Brimbank council that it would immediately stop collecting all recyclables. It’s the second time this year the council has found itself in this position.
In February, the council was forced to send its recycling to landfill after the EPA ordered SKM to stop accepting waste at two of its sites because stockpiled material posed a “significant” fire risk.
Mayor Lucinda Congreve said it was a disappointing outcome. “We are hugely frustrated and disappointed that our community has been placed in this situation once again,” she said.
“We share our community’s disappointment and we are working hard to find a solution.
“In the meantime, council’s kerbside recycling collection service will continue – with recyclable material being directed to landfill.
We encourage any households with a recycling bin that is not full to consider storing their recycling where possible.”
SKM spokesman Rob Spence told ABC radio the temporary closure was a result of the EPA’s ban on Glass Recovery Services accepting glass recyclables.
“[SKM] can’t take any more [recycling] without breaching their permits with the EPA.” Brimbank council said it is working with the Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group to assess its immediate and long term options.
SKM provides recycling services for more than 30 councils, collecting about half of Victoria’s kerbside recyclables.
Councils have been bracing for the worst after SKM founder Giuseppe Italiano recently warned he was closing the business.
SKM has previously warned that up to 400,000 tonnes a year of paper, glass and plastic could go to landfill if it folds.
