THE City of Greater Bendigo council has begun sending out letters to 37,000 households to ask if they would like to exchange their large 240-litre rubbish bin for a smaller 140-litre bin.
Mayor David Jones said over the next week residents should receive an information sheet and a reply paid envelope giving them the option to swap their large bin for a smaller one.
“Ratepayers will save
$40 on their 2008-09 rates
bill if they fill out and return the form in the reply paid
envelope that they have been sent,” he said.
“Residents will also have a chance to win one of 10 150-litre compost bins if we receive their requests for a smaller bin by close of business on Friday, May 30.
“So not only will they save on their rates but they could also end up winning a new home compost bin as well.”
Cr Jones said the council was introducing the smaller rubbish bins as part of its Resource Recovery and Landfill Minimisation Strategy.
“It’s part of a phased introduction of smaller bins designed to encourage more recycling and less waste to landfill,” he said.
“The current annual charges are $120 for the large bin and $105 for the small bin but council is proposing to make the charges in the next financial year $95 for the smaller bin and $135 for the large bin so there is a real incentive to swap to a smaller bin.
“We are expecting a large number of residents to take up this offer.”
Residents can also register to receive a small bin online by visiting the City of Greater Bendigo’s website at www.bendigo.vic.gov.au/binexchange