Recycled glass used in Walsh Road works

About 60,000 locally recycled glass bottles and jars are being used to rebuild Walsh Road.

The glass comes from three community glass recycling bins placed around Warrnambool in February as well as from the Moyne Shire’s kerbside glass collection.

This glass is then crushed by local firm Fulton Hogan and used as a substitute for sand in the asphalting process.

Walsh Road is the first road in Warrnambool to utilise this new method with about 15 tonnes of glass used in the project.

More than six tonnes of glass have been collected from the three Warrnambool “bottle banks” alone.

Additionally, Council has been collecting glass from approximately 3300 properties since February as part of a trial.

This glass is being held by Wheelie Waste ahead of being graded and crushed for use in local concrete manufacturing.

Warrnambool Mayor Tony Herbert said that this was the latest Council initiative with the aim of reducing the amount of material sent to landfill.

“Local household glass is being processed locally and used on local roads – it’s an ideal recycling scenario,” he said.

“The community told us in 2019 that a separate glass bin was their preferred option going forward, and we are now beginning to see this option bear fruit.

“We know that separating glass from other recyclables is one of the most effective ways to reduce contamination and make sure as many recyclable items as possible are re-used.

“When coupled with the introduction of FOGO bins in 2018 and 2019, the people of Warrnambool are helping to divert thousands of tonnes of reusable material from landfill each year.

“Processing waste correctly is also a cheaper option than sending material to landfill, with the draft 2020/2021 Council budget including an $11 reduction per property in waste management fees.”

Council, in conjunction with the VicRoads “Roads to Recovery Program” has identified the section of Walsh Road between Raglan Parade and Bradley Street as needing a full rehabilitation due to pavement failures.

Walsh Road is expected to reopen to traffic by the end of the week.

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