Recycling could become much simpler for Lake Macquarie residents, with Council today unveiling an expansion of Awaba Waste Management Facility.
The $30 million dollar project has seen the addition of a new Community Recycling Centre at the facility's entrance, meaning residents no longer have to cross the weighbridge and enter the site to drop off recyclables and problem waste.
Two giant landfill cells were also included in the expansion and are expected to come into use by October.
The cells have a combined capacity of almost 38,500 garbage truck-loads of waste.
Lake Macquarie City Council Deputy CEO, Tony Farrell, said the cells would significantly extend the life of the facility.
“Looking at these enormous cells provides a very tangible indication of how much waste a city the size of Lake Macquarie produces,” Mr Farrell said.
Council's alternative bin system has faced criticism since it's introduction last year, but Tony Farrell says the new system will have a notable impact on the amount of waste going into landfill.
“We’re expecting they will be full in 12 years’ time. It’s important to note that without our new three-bin system, with food waste going into the green bin each week, they would reach capacity in just eight-and-a-half years.”
The expansion also features a new weighbridge, a separate wheel wash for heavy vehicles, and a waste transfer system that's set to open at the site later this year.
Council is currently seeking expressions of interest from local charities to operate a 'tip shop' which would resell unwanted furniture in good condition.
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| Deputy CEO Tony Farrell, Mayor Kay Fraser and Vanessa Gebhard |
