Glass recycling is on the way In City of Whittlesea
The way we recycle is changing for the better. A new 120 litre purple-lidded bin will be delivered to all households throughout August and September.
All households in Victoria are required to have access to a glass recycling service by 2027, however the City of Whittlesea is committed to creating a more sustainable future and delivering improved recycling services for our community sooner, so we are rolling out this new service later this year.
The purple-lidded bin is a new bin dedicated for the collection of glass bottles and jars, and will improve the quality of the recycling collected, ensuring more of our waste is recycled into new products and kept out of landfill.
Why are we getting a separate glass recycling bin?
The City of Whittlesea is introducing a glass collection service in late 2022. The purple-lidded bin is a new bin dedicated for the collection of glass bottles and jars and is in line with the Victorian Government’s requirement that all Councils comply with a standardised four-bin waste and recycling system by 2027.
The City of Whittlesea is committed to creating a more sustainable future and delivering improved recycling services for our community sooner, so we are rolling out this new service for you now, ahead of schedule.
By changing how you sort your waste at home, we can do more with your recyclables. When correctly sorted, your old glass bottles and jars can be recycled again and again into new glass bottles and jars. Where this is not viable, used recycled glass can be used in the construction sector (e.g. road base) which reduces the need for other raw materials.
It also means your paper, cardboard and plastic recycling will not be contaminated with broken glass, so more can be recycled into new products and kept out of landfill.
When will we be getting our new bin?
All households that currently have a Council-provided rubbish and recycling bin will receive a new 120 litre purple-lidded bin for glass bottles and jars.
Bins will be delivered throughout August and September.
As soon as you receive your bin, you can start putting glass bottles and jars in it, ready for the first collection, which is due to begin in early October.
How big will the bin be?
The new glass recycling bins will be 120 litres – the same size as your garbage bin – and will have a purple lid.
How often will it be collected?
Your glass recycling bin will be collected every four weeks on the same day of the week as your regular bin collection.
You will still receive a fortnightly recycling collection, weekly garbage collection and fortnightly food and garden waste collection (if you have opted into this service).
Is the bin optional?
No. It is a Victorian Government requirement that all households have access to a separate glass recycling service.
All households that currently have a Council-provided rubbish and recycling bin will receive a glass recycling bin.
What can I put into my glass recycling bin?
You will be able to put the following items into your glass recycling bin:
Glass bottles and jars from food and drinks, including:
Soft drink, juice, water and milk bottles
Beer, wine and spirit bottles
Sauce, condiments and oil bottles and jars.
Glass bottles and jars from medicine and toiletries, including:
Medicine bottles
Vitamin and supplement bottles and jars
Bottles and jars from toiletry and cosmetic items such lotions, gels and creams.
What can’t go in the glass recycling bin?
The following items can’t go into the glass recycling bin:
- Loose lids and caps from bottles and jars
- Corks, pumps, sprays, droppers
- Bottles and jars with non-glass items inside such as cigarette butts, food, liquids
- Glass kitchenware, such as drinking glasses, crockery and ceramics, glass storage containers and glass cookware
- Glass household items, such as vases, mirrors, light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
- Plastic bags or plastic packaging.
Why can’t I put drinking glasses, Pyrex or windows into the glass recycling bin?
Glass bottles and jars melt at the same temperature. Other types of household glass such as drinking glasses, kitchenware such as Pyrex, windows and mirrors melt at different temperatures.
Can I put broken bottles and jars into the bin?
Yes, you can put broken bottles and jars into the glass recycling bin.
Will I have to pay extra for this new service?
The annual waste charge on your rates notices covers the cost of all kerbside waste collection services including the new glass bin and is determined as part of Council’s budget process each year. Being mindful of the impacts of the pandemic on the cost of living, Council will continue to significantly subsidise waste charges for the next four years. Our waste charges remain significantly less compared to other councils, who are facing similar challenges with the increasing costs of waste disposal and the requirement to transition to a four‑bin system.
What happens to the glass that is collected?
Glass is a valuable material that can be recycled again and again, providing a sustainable packaging option for products.
All glass collected from City of Whittlesea households will be taken to Visy Recycling to be processed and turned into new glass bottles. Where small fragments can’t be remade into glass bottles, they will be used in road base.
To find out more about the glass recycling process, watch this video from Visy Recycling.
