The rollout of free bulky waste collection services has been fast‑tracked and is to start in Belconnen from April and all other Canberra suburbs from July.
Minister for Transport and City Services, Chris Steel said the collection service started in July last year in Tuggeranong and Gungahlin.
“I am pleased that the wider Canberra community will be able to access the service earlier than the initial rollout schedule,” Mr Steel said.
“By mid-2021 all Canberra households will be able to take advantage of a free bulky waste collection each year of up to two cubic metres of items such as old furniture and household appliances,” he said.
“Since collections started in mid-July 2020, there has been more than 600 tonnes of material collected in Tuggeranong and Gungahlin showing just how keen Canberra residents are to get rid of their bulky waste.”
Mr Steel said residents in Forde, Bonner, Gowrie, Conder, Fadden, Macarthur, Theodore, Amaroo, Wanniassa and Calwell had used the service the most.
“The household items that have been listed for collection the most include furniture, timber, scrap metal, appliances and electrical equipment,” he said.
“Suez, the contractor providing the service, is partnering with GIVIT, The Salvation Army, Vinnies and other charities to identify items that can be sold through their shopfronts or given to people in need,” the Minister said.
Mr Steel said thousands of items had been redirected to Canberra charities in the seven months the bulky waste collection service had been in operation.
“The bulky waste service has so far achieved a 38.8 per cent resource recovery rate which is a fantastic result, with items including furniture, bikes and gardening equipment being rehomed,” he said.
