Council wheel out purple bins in trial

New purple-lidded, 120-litre bins have been delivered to 30 full-time residents across the Surf Coast. The bins will be used exclusively for glass, ensuring it is not mixed with other recyclables.

Cr David Bell said the introduction of a fourth bin could prove very beneficial.

“Keeping glass separate from other recyclables has a huge impact on the quality of other recyclable materials. Glass can break when it is dropped into the kerbside bin, again as recyclables are being compacted in the truck and again during processing at the sorting facility.”

“The broken pieces contaminate paper, cardboard, plastic and metal, making them less valuable and harder to recycle.”

The council’s call for people to take part in the trial had more than 350 responses.

Participants were also selected to ensure their circumstances, such as whether they live in a house or an apartment, were varied.

Cr Bell said he was pleased the community was supporting more sustainable living.

“We are delighted that people are interested in the trial, in resource recovery and management, and in wanting to help us determine better methods.”

The trial will look to highlight any challenges the added bin may cause, as well as informing them on what the bin’s size should be.

Collection of household food organics together with garden organics, will also be introduced across the shire during the first half of 2020. There is also a plan to trial a fifth bin for further separation of recyclables.

The council says it will engage with the community throughout the process.