A Sydney council has won significant public praise for its decision to provide an additional recycling collection during the recent holiday period, with many locals now demanding the service becomes a permanent fixture.
Festive Cheer in the Form of Extra Collections
Last month, Liverpool City Council announced it was offering residents an extra yellow bin collection to help manage the inevitable surge in waste generated over Christmas and New Year. The council framed the move as a 'gift' to the community.
Residents were asked to place all three bins out on their usual collection days between December 29 and January 9. Liverpool Mayor, Ned Mannoun, explained the rationale, noting that celebrations bring not only joy but also additional rubbish. He stated the council was pleased to provide the extra recycling service to ensure as much material as possible was diverted from landfill.
Public Backing and Calls for Expansion
The initiative was met with widespread approval on social media, quickly sparking calls for the scheme to be extended indefinitely. One resident argued, "It should be like this all year... if you actually wanted people to recycle." Others suggested further improvements, including weekly green-lid garden waste collections and an extra red bin pickup specifically for Christmas wrapping paper.
However, the council's description of the service as a 'gift' drew ire from some quarters. "You're not 'GIFTING' anything we bloody pay for it," one person commented, highlighting a sentiment that council services are funded by ratepayers.
Council Cites Costs as Barrier to Permanent Change
This year marked the third consecutive year Liverpool has run the festive recycling scheme, with other councils like Penrith and Shellharbour adopting similar measures. Despite the positive feedback, a council spokesperson confirmed the additional collections would not continue beyond January due to the significant costs involved.
Instead of a permanent extra yellow bin service, the council is encouraging residents to focus on correct recycling practices and to make full use of the existing weekly FOGO (Food Organics Garden Organics) green-lid collections. The debate highlights the ongoing challenge for local authorities in balancing popular environmental services with tight budgetary constraints.
