Shire of Harvey implements new carbon offset and tree planting initiative at Richardson Road Tip Shop

A new initiative by the Shire of Harvey is set to improve green credentials at one of its waste sites.

Proceeds from the Richardson Road Tip Shop will now be donated to a carbon offset charity under a tree planting program.

The funds will go to Carbon Positive Australia with the Shire expected to donate about $12,500 to offset the council’s carbon dioxide emissions by about 407 tonnes.

Acting Shire chief executive Rick Lotznicker said the initiative would also revegetate about 3ha of land within the State.

“This partnership will advance the Shire’s own environmental protection, conservation and rehabilitation goals, while contributing to big picture sustainability efforts in WA,” he said.

Mr Lotznicker said the council hoped the program would see a higher number of items diverted from landfill through reuse or repurposing.

“We want to motivate residents to bring items to the Tip Shop, purchase from the Tip Shop and to facilitate increased levels of non-ferrous metal and Containers for Change recovery,” he said.

Carbon Positive Australia partnerships coordination Lauren Purcell said the charity was excited to continue its collaboration with the council.

“The Shire is a leading example of how a council is going beyond achieving carbon neutrality by going beyond traditional conversation efforts and aims to actively enhance the health of ecosystems and biodiversity through their latest tip shop initiative,” she said.

“We hope that as a local council they will inspire other councils to look at how they can support the environment.”