“The red bin waste is taken to Queensland by road as this is the most economical way of managing it now,” City of Coffs Harbour City Infrastructure Director Andrew Beswick told News Of The Area.

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The city is tackling the problem by working to create a comprehensive Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy.

This starts with the community being encouraged to provide input through an online survey.

To launch the survey there will be pop-up stalls and workshops around the city, which residents and business owners can visit for information.

“We need your help to achieve a sustainable reduction in waste,” Mr Beswick said.

“The goal is to move towards a more circular economy where we try to reduce waste, which would otherwise be sent to landfill, through reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling.

“The public consultation will inform Council and the long-term waste strategy as to how that may play out, and it could include things like an educational awareness program for consumers and possibly ways to incentivise waste reduction.”

The survey includes questions about preferences and challenges, and invites suggestions on how things could be done better.

The average Coffs Harbour household produces around 1400kg of waste each year and more than half of this is from red-lid bins and ends up in landfill.

Correct use of the yellow, green and red bins can help reduce the amount of materials going to landfill by up to 80 percent.

Recyclables should be in the yellow-lid bin while food and garden organics should be in the green-lid bin.

“We have experienced significant population growth and there has been considerable advancement in the waste handling industry – so the challenge and opportunity are there to do better.

“The new strategy will provide a blueprint for a cleaner, more efficient and more sustainable future.

“If we can cut waste, it will be better for the environment and better for all of us – so we need as many people as possible to share their thoughts on the best ways forward.”

For those who do not have a computer or laptop, there are free-to-use computers at Coffs Harbour library in Yarrila Place. A librarian can help you long on.

By Andrea FERRARI