Where Your Waste Ends Up

Stacks of Rubbish

General Garbage (Red Lid)

This rubbish is taken to the Artarmon Resource Recovery Centre where it is compacted to reduce its volume before being taken to Eastern Creek. 54% of Willoughby's waste goes through the Advanced Resource Recovery Technology Facility (with a planned increase to 60% by 2013), which diverts waste from landfill by recovering resources from the waste and producing green electricity.  

The remaining 46% of our waste goes into landfill. A site that has been used for landfill cannot be restored. Landfill produces a toxic liquid called leachate that can make its way into the waterways or groundwater if it is not properly collected. Landfills also emit methane gas that contributes to global warming, and use up valuable space.

The financial cost to the community of transporting waste further away will grow as Sydney does. It’s important that we do our best to reduce what we put in landfill, for economic and environmental reasons.

Recycling (Yellow Lid)

The collected material is taken to VISY’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF) in Smithfield. The materials are sorted into different types using a combination of automated and manual processes. The materials are then baled and sent to the recyclers where they are turned into new products.

The environmental benefits of recycling are many and varied. Recycling saves landfill space, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, saves energy and saves water. The Visy Environmental Benefits Certificate demonstrates the savings achieved in April 2012 from the recycling efforts of Willoughby residents.

If you would like to visit a MRF, Willoughby Council organises free tours for residents. Check Diary Dates or call 9777 1000 for more information.

Vegetation (Green Lid)

Green waste is taken to the Artarmon Resource Recovery Centre. From there it is taken to the Eastern Creek composting facility where the material is screened for inorganic material like glass. It is then arranged in long piles, called 'windows', to compost. The mature product has a number of garden uses. It is sold wholesale or at retail outlets. Products with the ‘Garden-to-Garden’ logo have come from this process.