Council is looking for innovative solutions to the current recycling crisis - and residents are being asked to help.
Council and its waste contractor, Four Seasons Waste, have been looking for alternative options for processing of the shire's recycling following the closure of its processor SKM Recycling. An alternative processor has been identified, but this processor will only accept recycling loads which do not contain glass.
Council is asking residents to not place glass in recycling bins, effective immediately, so it can explore this option further.
Acting Director Assets and Operations, Anne-Louise Lindner urged residents to remove glass from their recycling bins and work with Council as it seeks to find an alternative to sending recycling to landfill.
"We really hope the community will come on board and help us to remove glass from recycling bins," Ms Lindner said. "Shards and small pieces of glass can become embedded in paper and cardboard in recycling bins and contaminate the other recyclables.
"We urge residents to remove glass from their bins and help us explore this new option for our recyclables with a new processor."
Ms Lindner said Council would do bin audits in coming weeks and monitor the level of glass in the bins.
"If we can see glass has been removed from bins, we may be able to divert recycling from landfill and send the glass-free recycling to this new processor."
Council has long been advocating for a solution to the recycling issue which involves all levels of government working together. The Victorian Government has announced councils affected by SKM's closure will receive a rebate to cover additional costs incurred to deal with recyclable waste.
"This new funding has a particular focus on finding innovative solutions to the problem and, by trying to remove glass from our recycling, we're already making progress in this area," Ms Lindner said.
Residents can take glass free of charge to Council's transfer stations in Kyneton, Woodend and Romsey. As a last resort, glass can be placed in general rubbish bins (red lid). Lancefield residents who are currently taking part in the current glass recycling trial will be able to place glass in the special 'glass only' bins which have been provided to participants.
Council will consider long-term options regarding recycling at its Ordinary Council Meeting on 28 August.
"Councillors, Council staff and our community are committed to reducing waste and to resource recovery, and we thank them for their assistance while we look for a solution to this difficult problem,' Ms Lindner said.
