Council’s Community Services Section Manager Tammy Gutsche said Council is committed to reducing landfill and our environmental footprint and the community share the same objectives.

“It’s no surprise our community wants to see a green bin system and we are excited to be investigating how we can roll this new program out in the future,” Ms Gutsche said.

“We are also looking at increasing alternative recycling options for plastics and fabrics along with a strong focus on driving circular economy outcomes, looking to ‘close the loop’ by recovering and reusing items that would otherwise be disposed of and returning the to the economy,” she added.

Council has begun the rollout of an extensive education program, recently holding online and in-person workshops on decluttering, waste minimisation, upcycling and beeswax wraps.

“We will continue to educate the community on how we can reduce Port Stephens environmental footprint through a range of initiatives,” Ms Gutsche said.

“Our environment is our most treasured asset and through better waste management we can look after it.

“We’re working together with our neighbouring Councils and the community stakeholders to develop our plans for how to deliver on the strategy,” she added.

We encourage the community to continue to share their ideas and tell us how they’re fighting the war on waste in their backyard.

To read the Waste Management Strategy and to stay up to stay up to date on our plans moving forward, visit portstephens.nsw.gov.au/waste-strategy

Watch our latest video about the Waste Strategy: youtu.be/E1jqN5Qp_Ek