Media Release: Changes to glass and FOGO collection services
Published on 07 March 2025
Yarriambiack Shire proposes to implement changes to Glass Bin Service from 01 July 2025
Yarriambiack Shire Council is seeking feedback from residents as it looks to transition out of a kerbside glass collection, and move to a drop-off bin and skip service in each community within the Shire.
In July 2022, the Yarriambiack Shire introduced a kerbside glass recycling service to meet the Victorian State Governments’ direction to commence the introduction of a four-bin system. Council was successful in receiving a grant to roll out the kerbside glass bin service.
The glass kerbside collection service has never been popular with a post implementation survey demonstrating strong dissatisfaction with the service.
The start of the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) in November 2023 has seen a drop of almost 50% in the volume of glass collected and the presentation of glass bins decrease sustaintially.
Yarriambiack Shire Council Mayor Kylie Zanker stated “Council would like to reiterate that it remains committed to the separation of glass from other recyclables and will continue to support a separate glass service, however we need to look at a more viable and sustainable option of collection into the future”.
“Given the reduction of glass being collected as a result of the Container Deposit Scheme, Council is now seeking feedback from the community about the future operation of the glass service” Mayor Zanker added.
The two options being presented to residents are:
- Retain the current kerbside glass collection provided every two months; or
- Move to a glass drop-off bin and/or skip in each community. The locations of these bins/skips will be determined with each community.
It should be noted that glass cannot be disposed of in the general waste or mixed recycling bins, it must be separated out.
At the same time, Council will be seeking feedback from residents regarding a move to a food and garden organics collection service.
The Victorian Government has mandated that Council must implement a kerbside Food Organics & Garden Organics (FOGO) service by 1 July 2027. It is likely that this service will not be compulsory if the resident is actively composting at home. Council will be required to check that any household exemption from the service is genuine.
In planning for this kerbside service to start in July 2027, a number of options have been identified for consideration by the community being;
- Weekly Food & Garden Organics service
- Fortnightly Food & Garden Organics service; or
- Households seeking an exemption as the already compost at home
It should be noted that food and garden organic waste cannot be disposed of in the general waste or mixed recycling bins. Organic garden waste can still be dropped off at council transfer stations.
Mayor Zanker encouraged residents to have their say, adding “Council values and acknowledges all feedback from the community and wishes to thank you in advance for your input.”
Residents can complete the survey relating to both the proposed changes to kerbside glass collection and kerbside Food Organics and Garden Organics by visiting https://www.yarriambiack.vic.gov.au/Engage-With-Us/Share-Your-Feedback, or in writing to the attention of the Chief Executive Officer, PO Box 243 Warracknabeal, Vic, 3393. Submissions close at 5pm, Thursday 3 April 2025.
END OF RELEASE
Cr Kylie Zanker