The ACT Greens have unveiled a $6.6 million waste policy ahead of next month’s election.
If elected, the party promises to spend $2 million over four years on an education program on ways to recover household organic waste.
Free composting equipment would go to around 21,000 homes.
The Greens would also introduce a trash pack subsidy of up to $180 a year for around 2,500 seniors and concession card holders.
“Food scraps make up around half the waste that goes into the kerbside garbage bin destined for landfill. This household organic waste is the fundamental policy challenge for waste management in the ACT,” said Greens waste spokeswoman Caroline Le Couteur.
“Direct assistance, backed by community education is the most realistic and cost-effective way to recover household organic waste and that’s exactly what the ACT Greens are committing to.”
Under the policy, the street recycling bin program in Civic would be expanded to include all major town centres at a cost of $1.8 million, and there is money to fund an officer within ACTSmart to boost organic waste recovery in businesses and offices.
Up to 15 drop-off recycling points for fluorescent light bulbs and batteries would also be set-up at locations such as government shopfronts and libraries.
Ms Le Couteur says having a third wheelie bin for garden waste is not a viable option.
“Most garden waste in the ACT, around 90 per cent, is currently recycled through the well established self-haul system to Mitchell or Mugga Lane,” she said.
“At $19 million per year, a garden waste bin for every household would mean a significant increase in rates and achieve no positive environmental outcome.”
