Shire launches green drive

By Dion Teasdale
SHIRE of Yarra Ranges residents are being reminded to start picking out weeds and clearing out cupboards in readiness for the first green and hard waste collection of the year.
Mayor Monika Keane said the collection was a great opportunity for residents to remove excess green waste from their properties during the Declared Fire Season.
“Green and hard waste will be collected from all residential properties in the shire from February to April,” Cr Keane said.
“Residents will notice some significant improvements to the green waste collection all material is now being sent to a composting facility, which means even weeds can be collected.”
Cr Keane said all green waste can be placed in recyclable paper bags, unwaxed cardboard boxes or tied into bundles 1.5-metre long.
“Residents who bundle their waste are reminded to use string and not plastic twine, as all material is composted and recycled. Plastic bags must also not be used,” she said.
Cr Keane said a brochure would be distributed to residents two weekends prior to the start date outlining do’s and don’ts.
“Residents should ensure they read the brochure carefully before leaving anything out on the nature strip to ensure it will be collected,” she said.
“Any unsuitable items that are left out will not be removed, and the contractor will leave a note explaining why the’ve been rejected.”
She said items such as old tyres would not be collected.
“These items, along with other rejected or unsuitable items, will need to be removed from the nature strip and should be disposed of at the shire’s transfer stations or other sites appropriate for that material,” she said.
“Residents should also remember to place articles out for collection no more than one week prior to the collection date and to make sure it’s out by 6am on the first day of the collection week.”
Visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au, or call 1300 368 333.