Glass will not be permitted in City of Ballarat recycling bins from 30 September, due to a new contract with Australian Paper Recovery.
City of Ballarat Mayor Samantha McIntosh said Australian Paper Recovery has local markets for the processing and reuse of paper, cardboard, quality plastics and cans, but does not have a market for glass.
“Residents will be able to take their glass to one of several free glass drop-off sites around the municipality, either using their own container or one provided by council,” Ms McIntosh said.
“Alternatively, residents can put glass in the normal garbage bin, which will be collected and sent to landfill.”
Ms McIntosh said that for many years, Ballarat shipped its recycled material overseas for processing, which is no longer an option.
“Australia is now competing with other countries to access smaller and shrinking markets for our recyclables – so we are looking for local markets and local solutions,” Ms McIntosh said.
“The urgency to find a sustainable new recycling approach intensified after the recent collapse of SKM, which collected recyclables for more than 30 Victorian councils, including the City of Ballarat.”
Ms McIntosh said she knows the change may concern some residents.
“It concerns us too, but we have looked at all possibilities and at this stage, this option is the best and most cost-effective,” Ms McIntosh said.
“Our approach also means council will be able to ensure our recycling is processed locally and genuinely reused, at no additional cost to residents.”
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