Response by Mayor
I will ask the General Manager Organisational Performance and Community Services, Mr Phillip
Carruthers to answer this question.
Response by the General Manager Organisational Performance and Community Services
The Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has recently issued notices requiring SKM
Services Pty Ltd (SKM) to stop accepting recyclable materials at its Laverton and Coolaroo sites. SKM
provides recycling services to 35 of the 79 councils in Victoria.
SKM accepts recyclable materials for processing from many councils, including the Borough of
Queenscliffe. Council has been advised that the closure of the Laverton and Coolaroo sites has
impacted SKM’s capacity to accept recyclable materials at its Geelong site. This is due to the risk of
stockpiles of plastics in Geelong becoming non-compliant with EPA regulations and creating a risk
to community health.
SKM is working with the EPA to achieve compliance and resume processing of recyclables as quickly
as possible, but in the immediate term, it will be necessary for recyclables collected through the
kerbside service to be disposed of at landfill
Council’s efforts to seek alternative processing methods have been assessed as non-viable at this
time, given EPA regulations.
Council will continue all kerbside collection services. Any residents who have the capacity to store
recyclables at home in the immediate term are encouraged to do so until processing of recycling
resumes. Council will keep the community informed of developments as they happen.