Community members will be able to choose when their bulk waste gets collected from October with the introduction of an 18 month trial of the verge valet service (VVS).
VVS is a personalised bulk waste collection service that allows residents to choose the date of collection rather than having to hold on to their junk for the previously bi-annual collections.
Benefits of verge valet service include:
- the flexibility to conveniently schedule collections when best suits individual households
- improved the appearance of City streets with no unsightly or messy verges for weeks at a time
- a reduction in messy verges due to kerbside scavengers
- a reduction in illegal dumping by non-residents
- the ability for the City to quantify illegal dumping more accurately
- reduced presentation of hazardous waste and non-compliant material.
One final bulk verge collection will take place from Monday 23 August before the verge valet trial commences in October.
Extensive consultation over four weeks showed that the majority of the community was in favour of the switch to verge valet.
VVS is run by the West Metropolitan Regional Council (WMRC), of which the City is a member council. The WMRC has a particular focus on reducing waste to landfill, through better waste education, increased recycling and creating a circular economy.
WMRC will ensure all materials collected through the VVS within the City are recycled wherever possible.
Subiaco Mayor Penny Taylor said verge valet had a number of proven benefits including better flexibility and convenience, reducing the amount of waste collected, increasing recycling, and limiting the time junk is out on the verge to just 48 hours rather than weeks at a time.
“Verge valet will also help address common complaints such as illegal dumping, strewn waste piles, litter, late-night scavenging and drive-way or verge access issues,” she said.
“Several metro local governments are already using verge valet and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
“We know our community cares about sustainability so verge valet really is a win-win for the environment and our residents.”
Bookings will open for City residents via the WMRC website in October.
Residents will be eligible for two VVS collections per annum.
The City’s weekly green waste collection service will continue as normal.