Our View

January 30, 2013: Green waste choice

OVER the years, the Country Times has had many letters to the editor requesting the District Council of the Copper Coast implement a green waste collection service.

Now these people have been given an opportunity to put their money where their mouth is.

DCCC is exploring the option of introducing a voluntary system based on residents opting in — those who wish to utilise the service will be required to pay for it.

At first glance, this seems unfair; other councils have green waste collection, why should Copper Coast residents have to pay?

However, the bottom line is if the green waste collection service were to be absorbed by the current rates, this would mean funding would have to be cut elsewhere.

So it’s fair enough council is proposing to charge, just as long as it isn’t making any extra money and the proposed charges are cost price without any profit included.

Currently it costs up to $28 to dump a load of green waste material at the Kadina Recycling Centre. These fees are likely to increase once the new transfer station is up and running and the full impact of the carbon tax is known.

When considering if you would opt into a green waste collection service you need to add up how often you would make a trip to the dump.

Obviously if you are able to reuse and mulch your own green waste, you will not require the service.

Green waste is not permitted in regular garbage bin as it goes directly to landfill.

Not only is this taking up space, but also when organic matter decomposes in landfill it generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

It would be interesting to hear from District Council of Barunga West and District Council of Yorke Peninsula ratepayers about the issue too.

Do you utilise your green waste service? Would you be keen to see your councils make it a voluntary, opt-in service?

The council has given you, the Copper Coast ratepayers, the opportunity to comment and have input. So make sure you are involved with this process, otherwise you will have no reason to complain when the decision doesn’t go your way.

Amie Brokenshire, Editor