Liverpool City Council is tackling the problem of thousands of abandoned shopping trolleys in Sydney’s south-west by implementing a plan to recycle them using a machine known as “the croc,” traditionally used for dismantling old mattresses. This initiative aims to divert the trolleys from landfills, allowing the metal to be recycled instead.
The council is already facing significant expenses from landfill costs, totalling $800,000. By processing these rogue trolleys, they intend not only to save money but also to transform a waste issue into a source of income. Reports indicate that there have been over 8,000 incidents of abandoned trolleys across New South Wales within the first month and a half of the year alone.
Local officials suggest that current regulations, which grant retailers four days to collect their abandoned trolleys, contribute to the growing issue. Liverpool Council’s Deputy Mayor, Peter Harle, advocates for legislative changes that would empower councils to impound trolleys immediately, alongside implementing higher fines to encourage responsible ownership.
Under the new plan, the council will collect these abandoned trolleys and store them at a local depot, giving retailers a 28-day window to retrieve their property before it is shredded.