GAWLER residents are being encouraged to fill their yellow bins and recycle despite reports of an oversupplied market.

Northern Adelaide Waste Management Authority (NAWMA) CEO Adam Faulkner spoke to elected members at last Tuesday night’s general meeting on a $300,000 budget deterioration.

Mr Faulkner said the sale of an Albury paper mill had led to potential sustained deterioration in NAWMA’s budget for the short term.

“It was a good story about us selling residents’ paper to this mill in Albury, they were making Advertiser newsprint and delivering it back to Adelaide and seeing the circular economy in action,” he said.

“With that mill shut down we are now forced to sell your residents’ and many others’ paper and cardboard into the global market and those conditions are very difficult due to that market being over supplied.

“China sword still has flow-on effects today, so when we are trying to sell our recycling paper and cardboard in simple terms there is more supply than demand, so the price has gone down.

“We know the Federal Government is looking to restrict this material going offshore, which we applaud, however what we are urging the Federal Government is for the time to build a capacity for recycled paper and cardboard in Australia.”

Councillor Paul Koch inquired about what local government could do to initiate new markets.

“The main way local government can stimulate demand is through their procurement policies at the LGA or council level and look at mandating recycled content in all things local government procures,” Mr Faulkner said.

“Whether that’s in office paper or packaging… looking at the procurement policies at getting recycled content in what you purchase will have an impact.”

NAWMA and Gawler Council are lobbying the State Government for a waiver on the Solid Waste Levy on waste/contamination that is inappropriately placed in the yellow top bins.

The pair is also calling on more reinvestment of the Solid Waste Levy back into recycling infrastructure and services

Gawler Mayor Karen Redman said council was examining “new and innovative solutions” in relation to the use of recycled material.

“The Town of Gawler is seeking to improve its environmental sustainability across all areas of business and operational undertakings, primarily looking at council engineering operations and how, through project implementation, more innovative and sustainable practices are being included through the use of recycled material, particularly plastics and glass,” she said.

“In doing so, supporting private investment in developing new products that limit waste diversion to landfill, creating a more circular economy, and adding value to the Town of Gawler community.”

Meanwhile, Ms Redman assured locals’ yellow bin contents would still be recycled.

“Council is a part owner of the only local government run MRF (recycling plant) in South Australia. This plant is award-winning and continues to recycle all of our residents’ yellow top bin recyclables every day,” she said.

“It employs around 50 people. Our community is encouraged to join one of the organised tours of the facility to see recycling in action.

“Registrations of interest can be directed to NAWMA on 8259 2100 or (admin@nawma.sa.gov.au).”

Residents are also encouraged to visit NAWMA’s website (https://www.nawma.sa.gov.au/resource-recovery/what-can-i-recycle/) to see what can or cannot be recycled.