Glass in grass recycling error

Greater Bunbury residents who have put glass in their organics bins have been blamed for a contamination scare on Bunbury sporting fields.

Bunbury City Council today closed Forrest Park and Hay Park because pieces of glass, some the size of a 10 cent piece, were found on the playing fields after a compost mixture sourced from the organics bins was applied.

About 20 people, including council depot workers and staff from Bunbury Harvey Regional Council, will spend the next two to three days walking the fields to pick up glass.

The council has used compost which is a mixture of mulch and waste from organic bins across the region, introduced as part of the three bin system. This is then screened to a size of 10mm.

This compost mixture was sourced from the Bunbury Harvey Regional Council and used on Bunbury sporting fields in a trial.

BHRC chief executive officer Tony Battersby said the council would investigate how the glass was not separated from the compost mixture.

But he said it was the responsibility of all residents to make sure glass was not put in the organic bin.

“We need to get the people and the ratepayers to do the right thing,” Mr Battersby said.

Mr Battersby was adamant the compost mixture would be good for sports fields but its workers would have to rectify the problem before it was applied again.

Bunbury Mayor Gary Brennan said it was “unacceptable that such materials were found in the mulch”.

“City staff have erected warning signs at the affected sites and are communicating with affected sporting clubs that regularly use Forrest Park and Hay Park,” Mr Brennan said in the statement.

“The City’s priority is ensuring the ovals are cleared of contaminants and work is under way to achieve that outcome.”