Eight thousand non-returnable agriculture chemical containers have been processed as part of the drumMUSTER program in the Lachlan Shire.

The plastic drums have been collected from Fifield, Condobolin and Tottenham waste facilities which are then processed and recycled by Pelletek Enviro in Parkes.

“The resin from the drums is then used by Parkes recycling company Westonfence to make farm fence posts,” a statement, dated Thursday, 20 August, from Lachlan Shire Council, said.

“This is a great result for our region, turning an agricultural waste product into a brand new locally available product.”

According to Lachlan Shire Council’s Environmental and Waste Coordinator Rowan Bentick the program diverts the plastic containers from landfill and is environmentally positive for the shire.

“There are great local benefits in engaging a regional processor located in the Central West who turns a problem agricultural waste stream, and in particular plastic, into a great solution for agriculture purposes,” he explained.

“This can be seen widely used throughout the Shire in the form of Weston fencing.”

He thanked the local community for embracing the program and reminded them that drums should be triple rinsed before going into the waste facility.

The program has been going in the shire for a number of years, with collection facilities in Burcher, Derriwong, Lake Cargelligo and Tullibigeal, the next to be processed.

The original drumMUSTER program kicked off at Gunnedah in May 1999 and there are now 479 collection agencies, including 356 councils taking part.

So far, nationally, over 35,867,000 containers have been collected, which equates to over 40,000 tons of material diverted from landfill.

By Melissa Blewitt.