Community comments on glass recycling sought

Published on 30 November 2021

More than 5000 households with kerbside collection could get a fourth bin if Corangamite Shire introduces a separate glass-only service in mid-2023.

Residents are being asked to have their say on four possible service options.

Corangamite Shire Council has posted a discussion paper on its website which outlines the benefits and limitations of potential glass service options.

Mayor Ruth Gstrein invited residents to fill in a survey to vote for their preferred option.

“In the current mixed recycling bins, glass can break and stick to other materials, contaminating them so they go to landfill instead of being recycled.

“By collecting glass items separately, we can make sure more of it is effectively recycled.

“Glass jars and bottles can be recycled into new jars and bottles or used in new roads and footpaths.”

Cr Gstrein said planning the transition to a glass-only service was a huge task that went beyond just buying some new bins and skips.

“We need to make sure the right infrastructure is in place, including things outside Council’s operations - from the bins, to trucks and processing facilities.”

If a fourth kerbside bin is introduced money collected from the waste charge will cover infrastructure and service costs.

Transfer station customers will also be required to separate glass. The State Government will pay for building glass-only collection points at all council operated transfer stations.

Council Manager Environment and Emergency Lyall Bond said glass made up 25% of recycling that Council collected.

“That adds up to almost 400 tonnes a year,” Mr Bond said.

“With a new kerbside bin and returns through the container deposit scheme, the amount of recycling in the yellow recycling bin will go down by almost 40% on average.

“This means the other bins won’t need to be collected as often.

“We are looking at all glass processing options including transporting it for recycling into new products, or crushing it locally for road base.”

The kerbside glass collection is part of the Victorian Government’s circular economy policy ‘Recycling Victoria – a New Economy’ which includes new EPA legislation, investment in the recycling industry and introduction of a container deposit scheme. The container deposit scheme will start in 2023.

Click here for more details on the State’s plans for recycling.

The four options are listed below but residents are encouraged to read the whole discussion paper to find out the pros and cons of each possible choice.

Option 1: 120L bin to be serviced monthly, no change to other services. Estimated additional cost to kerbside collection: $75.

Option 2: 120 L bin to be serviced monthly, to take the place of a waste collection. Estimated additional cost to kerbside collection: $40. (Council’s preferred option)

Option 3: 120 L bin to be serviced monthly, to take the place of a recycling collection. Estimated additional cost to kerbside collection: $40.

Option 4: Transfer station drop-off no glass-only bin and no change to other services. Estimated additional cost to kerbside collection: $12.

To read the paper and answer the survey, click here or pick up a hardcopy from the Civic Centre or call 5593 7100.