Hanging Rock has joined the rest of the Macedon Ranges municipality in how it undertakes waste management, now one of the first reserves of its kind in the state to offer a four-bin recycling system.
Last month, the new recycling bins follow council’s household kerbside service: purple for glass, yellow for recycling, green for food and garden organics and red for general waste.
Bins don infographics to help identify where to put different kinds of waste.
Unveiling the bins alongside mascot Kerby and Hanging Rock staff, Macedon Ranges mayor Jennifer Anderson said she was proud to see the municipality’s recycling initiative now at one of its iconic landmarks, which is a major tourist destination and event space for the region.
“Macedon Ranges 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,” Cr Anderson said.
“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.”
Visitors can find the bins around popular picnic and event areas at the reserve, such as shelters, the oval, playground and restrooms.
In a statement, council said it had achieved the highest diversion of resources from landfill of any local government in the state since it introduced the new system – a 74 per cent 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,” council said.
