New glass recycling across Corangamite

Published on 01 December 2023

Corangamite Shire residents have two new ways to recycle glass jars and bottles with a third on the way.

Councillor Jamie Vogels said the Corangamite Regional Landfill at Naroghid and transfer stations at Derrinallum, Simpson, Skipton, Timboon and Port Campbell had all been upgraded to allow for glass recycling.

“This hasn’t been a small task by any means,” Cr Vogels said.

“The new skips are specifically designed for recycling collection, which makes them taller than the previous bins, so we had to build retaining walls and safety rails so people can use them safely.”

Cr Vogels, who represents Corangamite on the Barwon South West Local Government Waste Forum, said Council was aiming for high-value glass collection.

“If people don’t help by doing right thing, we’ll wind up with a downgraded product.

“Cradle to cradle describes the circulation of materials in a continuous circular economy. In this case “cradle to cradle” means glass bottles and jars getting recycled into new bottles and jars.

“If people put in the wrong materials they will go from “cradle to grave” and be used as road base. It’s still recycling but not a circular economy

“As a Council we’re aiming high and we just need to bring the community along with us.”

Cr Vogels said the $320,000 in works were funded by the State Government through the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action Transfer Station Upgrade Fund and completed by local contractors.

“They will allow Council to meet new Recycling Victoria legislation to separate glass materials from recycling by 2027.”

The new skips are labelled “Glass Only” with another marked “Comingled Recycling”.

Council Waste and Sustainability Officer Jessica Maxwell encouraged people to make the most of the new services.

“Not all glass is the same,” Miss Maxwell said.

“It’s handy to keep in mind that the new skips are only for glass bottles and jars. Other types of glass and crockery must still be disposed of in the landfill bins and is not recyclable” 

“We need to keep out other glass products that might contaminate the whole skip, such as windows, mirrors or drinking glasses that can’t be recycled back to glass jars.

“If you bring your glass in a box or bag, make sure you empty them into the skip loose.

“Best of all it’s cheaper! A bag of glass costs $1.40 for you to recycle as opposed to $3 for comingled recycling.”

The option for recycling household glass comes on top of a new State Government Container Deposit Scheme. Council is not involved in the container deposit scheme which is run by private enterprise on behalf of the State Government.

Machines are available at Cooinda in Terang, Cobden Golf Club and Timboon Fuel. Find out what can go in the machines and how to collect your refund here.

Additionally, new 120L wheelie bins will be delivered to Council’s kerbside collection customers across the Shire in February with glass collections to start in March 2024.

The kerbside transition will happen over the coming months so residents can keep putting bottle and jars in their yellow wheelie bin until the glass service starts.

Caption: Cr Jamie Vogels Waste and Sustainability Officer Jessica Maxwell at the Port Campbell transfer station.