Tidy Towns, Sustainable Communities Awards 2011, Waste Management & Litter Reduction Award WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Delungra for ‘Delungra Waste Management’
The people of Delungra are rightfully proud of the efficiency and management of their local waste management depot. The facility is operated by four volunteers who educate the community about ways they can contribute to a tidier town environment, maintain an efficient waste management facility, promote awareness of appropriate waste management in the community and exceed community expectations for management of an efficient tip.

Tottenham for ‘Home Composting to Reduce Waste and Produce Mulch’
The goals of this project are to educate people about the benefits of composting.  The program encourages residents to compost green waste to help reduce landfill, and extend the life of the tip.  It will also improve soil fertility, structure and water retention for home gardens.  Workshops and educational materials will expose residents to right way to compost and the benefits arising.

Ellalong for ‘Keeping Ellalong Litter Free’
Ellalong has earned its place in the litter reduction area. The Committee has persisted with the Litter Free strategy; a combination of the newsletters, fund raising activities, volunteer time in collecting litter & erection of the "Do The Right Thing" & "Adopt-A-Road" signage have all ensured a cleaner environment for Ellalong's future. The assessor found ‘that Tidy Towns, Sustainable Communities ideal had taken a hold on this small town - it certainly shows how the local community can take pride in its town & implement activities that unite the residents’.

Kyogle for ‘New Era in Recycling for Kyogle’
In July 2011, Kyogle Council launched a kerbside waste/recycling collection and management service. A contractor was appointed, and local residents were engaged in efforts to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the new system. Goals for the initiative are described as: (1) To increase the amount of waste to be recycled and diverted away from landfill; (2) To accord with the State’s targets of reducing landfill disposal by up to 60% by 2013; (3) To reduce the amount of waste levy payable by Council.

Wyalong/West Wyalong for West Wyalong Waste Management Centre’
The Bland Shire Council has embraced recycling at its waste management depot.  Glass and plastic recycling facilities are now complementing green waste, metal and oil recycling with cardboard and paper recycling at Kurrajong. The drum muster station gives farmers, businesses and householders the opportunity to dispose of dangerous chemicals and their containers. The tip shop, Brett's Treasures and Trinkets and Trash recycle goods and earn revenue as does the sale of scrap metal. 

Forbes for ‘Twin City Recyclers’
Twin City Recyclers is a Forbes business which has been operating for eight years.  The business has 2 goals: to offer recycling facilities for local businesses and individuals and to find outlets for a large variety of waste. The business has experienced significant growth over the past eight years, with amounts of material handled growing from 13t per fortnight to 30t per week of recyclables. This amazing growth is helping to significantly reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and therefore extending the life of the landfill site at Forbes.

Salamander Bay for ‘Our Clean Up Campaign’
The aim of the Litter Control Campaign is to keep Soldiers Point and Salamander Bay in a litter free condition for residents and visitors. Litter black spots are targeted from Port Stephens Drive from Soldiers Point roundabout to Taylors Beach, and Soldiers Point Road in front of the industrial estate. The Tidy Towns group networks with a range of other organizations. Bay Recycling (the local recycling plant) is a partner, and they hold an annual 'Trashion Show' where contestants use recycled materials to create fashionable wear with proceeds going to the local women's refuge.

Griffith for ‘Bat for Rotary’
This innovative project is run by the Rotary Club of Griffith Avanti in conjunction with the Colleambally Community aims to collect and recycle the lead and the acid from cars, truck and farm machinery batteries. With three main objectives;  removing contamination and pollution from the environment, recycling valuable material and raising funds great things have The program began at the end of 2009 and now has 4 collection points, has removed more than 110 tonnes of batteries, and has raised $50,000 for local charities and welfare groups. This quality project is being replicated, with interest from across the entire State of NSW.

Singleton for ‘Adopt a Spot Adopt A Road’
Through an innovative sponsorship arrangement, Singleton Tidy Towns has expanded its long running Adopt a Spot anti-litter scheme to cover a large number of roads in the shire.  With the participation of Singleton Tidy Towns, Singleton Council and specific departments, Multinational Mining Companies, Singleton Community Groups, individuals and businesses, this scheme has seen a great reduction in the amount of litter being dumped on the roadsides, and provided a large number of community groups with a modest, but vital source of annual funding.

Wagga Wagga for ‘Battery Recycling’
Renewed Metal Technologies (RMT) is a state of the art facility. Under strict environmental regulations, the lead in Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULABs) is recycled. From this recycling process, the facility produces  25,000 tonnes of lead a year, 3,000 tonnes per annum of broken plastic which is reused in the manufacture of new batteries, and 7,000 tonnes a year of sodium sulphate which is used in a range of products including washing powders, glass and paper. The plant recycles more than 97% of the battery. Charles Sturt University provides Renewed Metal Technologies with expertise to support their testing.