Glass separation has been key in simpler recovery of other recyclables like plastic, metal and paper in the Macedon Ranges, but not all are clear on what is to become of it once collected.
Macedon Ranges Council introduced separate household glass bins earlier this month as part of its new four-bin system in response to the recycling crisis.
Council’s director of assets and operations, Shane Walden, said council was storing the collected glass pending a feasibility study.
“There are opportunities for recycling bottles and jars, which will see their materials reused multiple times. To do this the bottles and jars can’t be broken,” he said.
“Another opportunity for recycling glass is to crush the glass items and use them as ‘gravel/sand’ for road base and as bed material in trenches.”
Mr Walden said part of the feasibility study was to investigate the ‘pros and cons’ of each opportunity and consider the cost impacts of transport, contamination in the waste stream and the potential end-market for the recycled materials.
“It is hoped that the announcements by the Victorian Government will see an increase in the recycling activities related to the glass recycling sector,” Mr Walden said.
All Macedon Ranges residents who receive the kerbside collection service have been provided with glass-only bins – equating to about 20,000 new bins.
