Macedon Ranges Shire Council has installed public, glass-only recycling bins in an effort to find new and innovative ways to tackle waste management.
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The idea came after the shire was forced to change its recycling habits when recycling processor SKM closed earlier this year.
Shire chief executive Margot Stork said the closure was a catalyst for the shire finding recycling innovations.
"We were caught up in situations with SKM twice, once last year and then more recently," she said.
"We were asked by council to look at a range of possibilities. We wanted something on the ground quickly and this was a quick, innovative solution. It did take some time to get the bins in place as they had to be fabricated."
Four public bins were installed in Gisborne, Lancefield, Malmsbury and Tylden last week with plans to install three more in Macedon, Riddells Creek and Darraweit Guim.
"We also have three transfer stations in Kyneton, Woodend and Romsey," Ms Stork said. "The townships chosen (to have the bins installed) are not close to the transfer stations."
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The glass-only skip bins are 10 cubic metres in size. A number of 240 litre bins have also been installed at sites in the towns.
Following SKM's closure, council found an alternative processor that will only accept recycling loads that do not contain glass. The shire was one of more than 33 local governments affected by the SKM closure.
Ms Stork said the community had gotten on board with the idea of separating glass from their recycling.
"There has been really good feedback from the community," she said. "It has taken a bit of time (to implement) but the community has been understanding of us working through the issues.
"We know change takes a bit of time but people have got on board. Neighbours have banded together to share the effort in taking glass to the transfer station. We know we have a very engaged community with a social conscience."
"Residents also know, as a last resort, glass can go into the general bins but if people can (separate glass) it really makes a difference."
At its Ordinary Council Meeting on October 23, council will consider introducing of a fourth glass-only bin service for the shire.
Council also currently has a trial underway where 650 Lancefield residents have been provided with a separate "glass-only" bin, which is collected monthly.
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