Talking Waste for 2024-2034

We are working on our new Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2024-2034. Our new Waste Strategy will serve us for the next 10 years. We know our community will change significantly between now and 2034, so we need to ensure our new strategy considers this. It means that we have goals that are far reaching and can deliver them in a magnitude of ways.

We know the community cares about waste. In our recent Community Satisfaction Survey, our domestic waste service, including red collection, recycling and FOGO were the top performing areas of satisfaction from respondents. We want to make sure people's voices are heard in preparing for this new strategy and create a meaningful plan for the next 10 years in waste management.

What is a waste strategy and why do we have one?

A Waste Strategy shows a pathway to sustainable waste management for us and the community. It holds us accountable for our promise to the community, but also outlines our expectations in the community to manage waste in a sustainable and effective way.

Council is responsible for our city’s waste removal, treatment and disposal services. As you would expect, managing waste is the single biggest budget item for us on a year-in year out basis. We spend money on both major infrastructure and regular services that touch the lives of every member of our community.

What was achieved in the last waste strategy?

Our last strategy helped pave the way for some important achievements in our waste management. We thought it would be important to show what we achieved in our last 10 year strategy:

• Introduction of a weekly green bin FOGO service
• Increased Landfill gas capture at Whytes Gully
• The construction and opening of the Community Recycling Centre
• Community Recycling Stations
• Introduction of Australia’s first hydrogen powered waste collection truck
• Improved Environmental performance at our waste facility
• Waste education including a one stop waste service app.
• Sustainable waste management at public/special events
• Improvement of the Household Cleanup Service
• Enhanced Christmas recycling service and Greenwaste drop off services

What is our focus area for this new strategy?

This new Waste Strategy will have a longer term view for the next 10 years on what we need to achieve in waste. This will account for the changes we expect ahead in the waste industry. Some changes we are anticipating include:

• Moving towards Net Zero and what actions need to happen to achieve this
• Possible new technologies and markets, that may be able to assist with waste sorting and energy
• Maximising the community value and use of Council Assets in a period of high cost of living

You can see more matters we are wishing to focus on here.

To target this, we have created four new goals:

1. Reduce Waste to Landfill - for example, avoiding waste, reusing, recycling and repurposing. Creating less waste in the first instance.
2. Transition to a Circular Economy
3. Reduce our Waste Related Emissions
4. Improve our Waste Management - for example, looking for innovations in the waste industry, improve disposal of unavoidable waste.

Education underpins all 4 goals. We also want to know how we can deliver better education programs and pieces that will suit our community best.

How can I share my thoughts on the four goals and what should be considered in Council's waste management?

We have chosen four goals for the new waste strategy. We want to find out what you think of each goal and where our focus needs to be. To be involved you can:

1. Complete a short survey that asks what you think of our 4 goals
2. Email engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au
3. Call us on 4227 7111 to speak with our Engagement team

Have questions? See our Frequently Asked Questions and we may have the answer for you. If not, call us on 4227 71111 or email engagement@wollongong.nsw.gov.au with your question and we will get back to you.

Next steps?

From this period of engagement, we will create the Waste Strategy 2024-2034 and put in on public exhibition likely around June. This will be another opportunity for you to have your say and also see where your feedback was considered in the strategy. We will keep you updated along the way.

Accessibility and language assistance

If you’re d/Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech or language difficulty, you can contact us through the National Relay Service. If you need an interpreter, you can contact us through the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450. You’ll need to provide our phone number 02 4227 7111 for either service.

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Feedback closes 20 May 2024