Diesel shortage brings ‘catastrophic’ fuel shortfalls for garbage collectors
Organizations at the top of litter collection say they are being left off priority fuel supply lists, threatening “potentially catastrophic” health and environmental consequences if bins fail to be collected due to diesel shortages.
Waste Contractors and Recyclers Association of NSW president Brett Lemin said in a letter to the federal Energy Minister that rubbish and recycling trucks and processors were about to run out of cash they had paid for high diesel prices and councils would need to put pressure on landlords to make up for the shortfalls.
“If we can’t refuel the trucks and we can’t refuel the processing equipment, we can’t collect garbage, we can’t collect recyclables,” Mr. Lemin said.
“We are literally the back end of almost every industry, every operation that happens across this country.”
The industry group says they have been left out of a list of essential services that provide priority access to diesel, which is in limited supply due to the war in Iran.
“Not being listed is potentially disastrous for our entire industry and will lead to significant health and environmental problems,” Mr Lemin said.
Queensland Waste Recycling Industry Association chief executive Alison Price said only serious steps could be taken as a result, such as emptying all other wheelie bins per cycle.
“I would encourage the government to consider what might happen if we only collect half the wheelie bins,” he said in a statement.
“I am already aware of multiple members who have not received their full fuel allocation but have received less than half of their allocation.
“Unfortunately, I think the general public will soon start to feel some of the impacts,” Ms. Price said.
Relevant bosses from each state’s recycling and waste peak bodies are scheduled to meet Deputy Environment Minister Josh Wilson in Canberra this week.
Associations warn that organizations and businesses that require constant garbage disposal, such as hospitals, elderly care centers and supermarkets, will face health problems within 48 hours after the trucks stop.
Mr Lemin told the ABC a NSW operator had been informed they would only receive 12,000L of the normal 50,000L fortnightly delivery. The WA Waste Management and Recycling Association president told the ABC operators in the west were expecting half their normal allocation.
The federal government on Tuesday lowered the safe temperature threshold for diesel, allowing more imports from Canada, Europe and the United States.
More to come
