General News
22 July, 2022
Community responds to purple bins
THE first glass-recycling purple bin kerbside collection has seen 5.48 tonnes of glass collected from 477 bins in the Yarriambiack Shire.
THE first glass-recycling purple bin kerbside collection has seen 5.48 tonnes of glass collected from 477 bins in the Yarriambiack Shire.
"We have received some great feedback to date," Yarriambiack Shire Council acting chief executive Paul Brumby said.
"Residents understand the importance of a targeted recycling approach and why glass is such a great product for recycling. (However) we appreciate the feedback we have received with concerns about the extended collection for mixed recycling out to four-weekly.
"Some families and businesses may fill the mixed recycling bin quicker than others, while some businesses, particularly those in hospitality and sporting clubs may fill their glass bins just as quickly.
"We understand that there's no one size fits all when it comes to kerbside collection and we're working hard behind the scenes to make sure our recycling collection schedule works for the majority of the community."
The purple bin roll-out, which was announced to Yarriambiack residents in August 2021, commenced on July 1 after two successful trial runs in Minyip and Beulah in June.
Minyip and Beulah were selected as the trial towns based on their location and small population.
The feedback given assisted the Council in developing community information packs which include an updated waste and recycling calendar.
"It is important that people read the calendar and the information about what to put in each bin and not just continue to do what they have always done," Mr Brumby said.
"We recognise that this is a big change in our recycling system and it will take time for people to get used to it."
Lightly rinsed, empty glass bottles and jars without lids can be recycled.
The purple glass recycling bins and the yellow mixed recycling bins must only contain loose recyclable items and can't be bagged.
Residents who don't have a kerbside bin service will be able to drop glass off at their local transfer station free of charge.
"Removing glass from the yellow recycling bin reduces the weight to be transported and enables Council to collect glass locally," Mr Brumby said.
"One of the most exciting aspects of the new glass recycling bin service is that the glass will be processed locally (as) Council has received funding for a glass crusher, which will be located at the Warracknabeal Transfer Station.
"The glass collected across the region will be processed and available for use as a sand substitute in council road and pavement projects."
Though recyclable, glass is a large source of contamination in mixed recycling bins because it breaks down easily and can embed itself into other materials, which in turn reduces their recyclability.
Creating a purple bin kerbside collection eliminates these issues and ensures communities are recycling the most materials that they can.
"Council takes pride in being environmentally responsible and are always looking at ways to improve our services to assist the community in caring for our environment," Mr Brumby said.
"We have been fortunate enough to secure funding through Sustainability Victoria to supply the new purple bins to all residents and businesses where eligible.
"Additional funding has also been received from the Recycling Victoria’s Household Education and Behaviour Change Program to assist in the advertising campaign for the roll out of the new recycling system."
Mr Brumby said recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, conserves natural resources, prevents pollution, saves energy and increases economic security by tapping into local sources of materials.
Introducing the purple bin means that the yellow recycling bin will be collected every month instead of fortnightly, and the two bins will alternate on a month-to-month basis.
The yellow bin can continue to be used for metals, paper, carboard, hard plastics and other non-glass recycling materials.
The green landfill bin will continue to be collected weekly.
The Council will be collecting community feedback on the effectiveness of the four-week rotation of recycling and the introduction of the purple bins.
Feedback will be collected via an online form on the council's website and through hardcopy forms delivered to residents through Australia Post in late July.
"(Residents) feedback on recycling preferences allows Council to review the recycling collection service to ensure it meets the need of the Yarriambiack community," Mr Brumby said.