Docklanders dig deep daily
01 Apr 2010
By Alison Kinkade
Through a City of Melbourne initiative to increase recycling and reduce landfill, Docklands residents have now donated more than 30,000 kg of goods to St Vincent de Paul.
The project, which has seen charity bins being placed in 13 Docklands apartment blocks, started as a trial with five apartments in November, 2008.
The City of Melbourne’s Future Melbourne (Eco-City) Committee Chair, Cr Cathy Oke, said the amount of goods donated had been a significant result for St Vincent de Paul and for the environment.
“It is amazing that in just over a year, Docklands residents have collected a total of 31,200 kgs of clothing and household goods that would otherwise end up in landfill,” Cr Oke said.
“Congratulations to the residents, building managers and St Vincent de Paul for such a significant reduction in waste to landfill,” she said.
Yarra’s Edge Tower 5 building manager John Beany said he was particularly happy that, due to the bins, clothing no longer went down the garbage chute.
Mr Beany said residents in his building had responsed excellently to the initiative. “Tower 5 puts out one full charity bin almost every week for collection,” he said.
St Vincent de Paul state manager Tony Thornton said that the charity was really pleased with the quality of goods that were being donated, which were then sold or used in welfare work.
“We’re delighted to be in this unique partnership with the City of Melbourne that helps them achieve their recycling aims and us to continue to provide welfare to disadvantaged Victorians,” Mr Thornton said.
The remaining Docklands apartment buildings without the charity containers should receive the bins in the next few months as part of the roll-out of the project.
Docklanders are the first residents in Melbourne to receive the charity bins, however St Vincent de Paul hopes to extend the program to other city locations.
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