East Gippsland Shire Council is phasing out a scheme that saw some residents receive large red-lidded bins to cater for their households’ needs.

Since 2007, Council has offered general waste bins twice the size of the standard 120-litre bin free of charge to households which met criteria, including larger families or those with children in nappies.

Certain medical conditions can also create a large amount of rubbish and these households have also been eligible for the larger 240-litre bin. Residents in this category will be unaffected by the phase-out of the other categories and their service will remain unchanged.

Council has evaluated the free service ahead of the upcoming increases to the Victorian Government’s landfill levies. The cost of the levy Council pays is based on the volume of waste entering the landfills.

Under the 240L bin scheme, households paid for a 120L general waste service but could dispose of twice that volume at no extra cost.

Fiona Weigall, General Manager Assets and Environment, said the program has come at significant cost to ratepayers and it will only increase with upcoming increases to the Victorian Government landfill levies.

Council is expected to pay $1.4 million in landfill levies this year which equates to 12,000 tonnes of domestic waste and 11,000 tonnes of commercial waste.

Ms Weigall said the 240L general waste bin program will now only be available for people with medical needs.

“Many residents with the larger bins no longer have young children in nappies as the free program is now 14 years old.

"Existing 240L bins will be collected over the next two years starting with the oldest. Customers who have received a larger bin in the last 12 months will have theirs replaced last, so will keep the larger bin for two years.”

Any customer who wants additional waste capacity will need to buy an extra service under the existing arrangements or hire a private contractor.

“Residents with larger bins will have their bins replaced over the next two years with a smaller, 120L bin.

"Reducing our landfill waste by recycling, reusing and composting where possible is a huge cost saving to our community that can be put to other areas of Council such as parks, playgrounds and town facilities.

“The phase out of the 240L bins will begin in July and continue until early 2024.”

For information on purchasing an extra bin service contact us on 5153 9500 or visit this page for tips on minimising your waste.

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