Macedon Ranges residents can continue to put out their recycling bins after recycling giant Visy agreed to delay halting its agreement with the area’s waste contractor.
But the service’s continuation in the short term could come at a higher cost to Macedon Ranges council.
This week the council will meet local waste collector Wheelie Waste to discuss cost and current and future options for dealing with the shire’s recycling.
The council is one of 11 western Victorian councils left in limbo since Visy announced it would no longer accept recyclable material from Wheelie Waste as of February 10.
On Friday, it was agreed the deadline would be extended for the Macedon Ranges – just one day before the suspension was to come into effect.
The council has said residents should continue to put out their recycling bins for curbside collection.
When the impending suspension was announced on January 31, the council reassured residents that their recyclable materials would not go to landfill.
Mayor Jennifer Anderson said the council was working hard to find a solution with the industry and state government.
“Our community works hard to minimise waste and it’s important that they continue to be conscientious and recycle,” Cr Anderson said.
Visy’s plans to suspend taking recycling from the area comes after the Chinese government recently banned the importation of recycled materials, leaving the recycling giant without a destination for waste.
Mount Alexander, Greater Shepparton, Horsham and Ararat are among the other Victorian councils left scrambling for long-term recycling solutions.
