Ryde City Council

"Residents like the fact that recycling is so much easier using the new co-mingled bins. In addition to the environmental benefits, the new waste contract will also help to keep Council's rates down".
City of Ryde Mayor, Ivan Petch


Delivering an integrated collection and processing system

The challenge
Ryde City Council recognised the need for a new collection and processing service that would increase recycling rates and divert material away from landfill. Residents did not have access to a regular garden organics collection service and the existing divided recycling bins were confusing.

The solution
Council entered into a seven year $50 million contract with WSN Environmental Solutions to collect, dispose and process household waste, recycling and garden organics from 32,000 residential and commercial properties including:

• 25,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste;
• 7,800 tonnes of organic material; and
• 10,000 tonnes of recyclables per year.
  
  Launched in May 2006 the service involved the roll-out of 90,000 bins including 26,000 new garden organics bins. Replacing the old divided recycling bins with co-mingled bins and allowing a greater variety of materials to be recycled reduced confusion and encouraged residents to recycle more.
  
  A fleet of 14 new collection vehicles was provided to carry out the collection services.
  
  WSN worked closely with Council to develop long-term waste minimisation and management solutions. This was supported by assistance in developing educational and awareness campaigns and a focus on minimising contamination.
  
  Achievements
  Each household in the City of Ryde now has access to a total collection capacity of 760 litres per fortnight, 40 litres more than the old service. The additional capacity captures recyclable materials and garden organics for reuse.
  
  In the first two weeks of the new service over 600 tonnes of garden organics and recyclables were diverted from landfill, doubling Ryde City Council's overall recycling rate.