General News
3 February, 2026
Leon’s cleaning up the beach
MORE than 3000 containers have been recycled over the past year at Machans Beach since the community set up its own makeshift recycling bins along the beachfront.
Managed by long-time resident Leon Bradley, who regularly emptied the bins and took them to recycling for cash refunds, the money raised from the 10-cent containers was channelled back into the Machans Beach Community Association (MBCA) to help maintain the locally-owned hall.
The project began in January last year as a way for the community to do its part in reducing the rubbish that goes into landfill.
The main collection point, near 'the Poles' on O’Shea Esplanade, gathered 2710 containers over the year, earning $271 for the hall. Other recycling bins had popped up along the esplanade and the containers were collected by various locals – adding hundreds more to the overall collection tally.
Mr Bradley said it was clear there was a need for such simple recycling options at public rubbish bins. Most people who walked along the esplanade, or other beachfronts for that matter, carried drink bottles or cans.
“We’ve found up to 90% of rubbish in council bins is recyclable,” he said.
Mr Bradley said it would make sense for the council to install simple recycling bins alongside general bins – and “put their words into action” when it came to reducing landfill.
“We have tried to take it up with (them), and with our local representative, but there hasn’t been much interest,” he said.
