By Jessica Micallef
Hume kerbside recycling will continue to be sent to landfill, with SKM Services Coolaroo plant remaining closed.
However, Macedon Ranges will redirect its collection to SKM’s Laverton North site after it was cleared to accept waste last week.
The Environment Protection Authority lifted its ban on SKM accepting waste at Laverton North following an inspection of the plant last Tuesday.
No recycling from Macedon Ranges has been redirected to landfill during the closure.
Macedon Ranges council had made short-term arrangements for recycling to be taken to an “alternative material recycling facility”.
However since it has been advised of the Laverton North site re-opening the council will redirect recycling collections to that site for processing.
The EPA banned SKM from accepting waste at both sites on February 15 amid concerns that stockpiles of waste at the plants were a fire hazard.
EPA chief executive Cathy Wilkinson said the ban was implemented for public safety.
“The closure of the SKM sites was a decision taken to protect the community from the risk of a major fire,” Dr Wilkinson said.
SKM’s Coolaroo site remains “non-complaint” and is unable to accept waste.
