If crate orders are any indication, City of Ballarat residents have embraced new recycling changes that sees all glass removed from household recycling bins from Monday (30 September).
Council has been inundated with online applications for Council-supplied crates to drop off their glass bottles and jars at one of eight glass drop-off sites set-up around Ballarat.
Crate deliveries have begun in earnest, but with such high volumes, Council is urging people to be patient.
Residents can use any suitable household container, including cardboard boxes to transport their glass to the drop-off sites or can opt for a 100 per cent recyclable crate.
The City of Ballarat has contracted Ballarat Regional Industries to apply “No Glass” stickers to the outer lids of recycling bins across the municipality when they are out on the public reserve for collection, along with postcards with further recycling information in letter boxes.
The four crews of four BRI employees, including a supervisor in each vehicle, will operate between 7am and 3pm between Monday to Thursday and 7am to noon on Fridays.
Ballarat Mayor Cr Samantha McIntosh says she has been blown away by the number of people who are prepared to get on board on board and willing to make the change to remove glass from the recycling stream.
“In the long run, this will reduce contamination and ensure at least 80 per cent of the recyclables in our recycling bins can be re-used.
“By separating glass out, it means Council can collect the glass and actively look for new markets and innovative ways to re-use glass in our own community.”
Residents have been spared an additional $80 fee that would be necessary to provide a separate glass kerbside collection.
“We are truly grateful for the support of our residents as we take the lead in trying to establish immediate, short-term solutions to the recycling crisis, at no cost to our ratepayers.
A full list of the glass drop-off points can be found via an interactive map at recyclingballarat.com.
