By Alesha Capone
Households across the state, including Wyndham, are set to get a fourth bin to dispose of glass under a new recycling scheme announced by the state government.
The government last week announced the plan, as part of efforts to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by 80 per cent within a decade.
The state government will provide $129 million towards the Recycling Victoria initiative, but it remains unclear whether the full cost of introducing the new bins will be borne by councils, residents or the government.
The state’s new bin system will see bins with a purple lid introduced for glass recycling; bins with a green lid for food and garden organics; bins with a yellow lid for plastic, metal and paper recycling; and bins with a red lid for household waste.
A statement issued by the state government said that by collecting glass separately, “we can make sure more of it is effectively recycled – with jars and bottles transformed multiple times into multiple different products, including new roads and footpaths”.
The statement also said a separate glass collection would make the recovery of other recyclables simpler.
“The rollout of the new bins will start next year and happen gradually – informed by the needs of local communities and existing council contracts,” the statement said.
“There will also be special arrangements for remote regional households and people in apartments, to ensure everyone gets access to the new four-bin system.”
Wyndham council’s Director City Design and Liveability, Ludo Campbell-Reid, said: :Wyndham City Council welcomes any initiative that reduces waste from landfill, as outlined in our Waste and Litter Strategy 2016-2040.”
“We look forward to seeing the detail of the proposal.”
The state government said it would also introduce a container deposit scheme, to begin by 2023.
