Anyone who uses the online option to select their new service before the close of business next Wednesday (16 April) will be automatically entered into the draw.

Council sent information on the new waste collection service to more than 27,000 ratepayers earlier this month explaining the three new service options available:  a 140 litre fortnightly ‘Minimiser’ service, a 240 litre fortnightly ‘Standard’ service and a 240 litre weekly ‘Excess’ service.

People also have the option of increasing the size of their yellow recycling bin from 240 litres to 360 litres free of charge.

Those people who currently receive a waste collection service need to register their bin choice before the end of April to ensure their new bin can be ordered and delivered in time for the start of the new waste contract on September 1. Those people who do not reply will automatically receive the service that corresponds to the one they currently receive.

Council’s Director Development and Environment, Matt Rogers, said there had been a great level of responses to date but urged people not to wait until the last minute before registering their bin selection.

Data collected by Council shows that the great majority of respondents to date are choosing one of the fortnightly services (‘Minimiser’ or ‘Standard’) and only a small percentage of people are choosing the weekly service.

Mr Rogers said he was extremely pleased that so many people were willing to reduce the amount of household waste they personally send to landfill and to do something positive for the environment.

He said many people were making their decision after reading all the relevant information and taking more time to sort their household waste and to dispose of it correctly.

“We are hearing that many people are already changing their waste disposal habits and are surprised at how much extra space they have left in their red bin come collection day. It’s great to see people rethinking their responsibility when it comes to rubbish.

“At the same time there are people asking some legitimate questions about the new services and we are doing our best to work through those questions and to provide people with all the information they need to make an informed choice.”

The new bins will be on display at Council offices and libraries and at various shopping centres and regional locations through until the end of April.

Those people wanting more information are encouraged to visit www.pmhc.nsw.gov.au/bins

Council is also using its Facebook page to answer some of the most frequently asked questions relating to the ‘Choose Your Bin’ campaign and the new waste collection service.