4 Kerbside bins. Hmmmm

I'm not sure about the idea of introducing 4 bins for kerbside collections in Victoria.

The glass stockpile in Coolaroo. CREDIT: JOE ARMAO

It seems like the sort of thing that should be trialed first before statewide roll-outs. The results will undoubtedly have some positives but I just cannot pries my mind away from the fact that we seem to be making life incredibly complicated for mediocre to poor results rather than better results. Let's look at some practical issues with 4 bins.

The core question is, should the system be designed for the processors of the recyclables OR for the generator of the waste?

1. In house diversion - correct disposal at the kerbside by households and businesses requires that waste is disposed of correctly and separately INSIDE the house or business. At present homes have internal bins that reflect their kerbside bins; for example, a garbage bin, a recycling bin, and perhaps a compost bin. If a 4th glass bin is added then a new internal bin must be added to separate glass from other recyclables. Most homes will find this problematic.

2. Bin storage and presentation - the subject of much commentary since the announcement has been about storing the 4th bin and then finding space at the kerbside on bin collection day amongst a melee of bins on the nature strip. This is valid as significant time and resources is required by Councils to manage the space with property owners, in particular MUDs (multi unit dwellings) where a development of just 20 apartments may require road frontage that can accommodate 40 bins per week. Many property owners will also be frustrated at the additional square metre they will need to find for the 4th bin.

3. Bin collection by trucks - aside from the contractual and operational significant changes that are required to incorporate collection of a 4th bin, waste collection contractors will be able to rewrite their schedules to incorporate a 4th bin collection. However, the introduction will be relatively expensive as (1) the extra trucks will all be ordered from manufacturers at the same time, (2) the extra bins will all be ordered at the same time and (3) the more bins we have, the more empty bin space the truck is collecting. On the 3rd point, analysis of new organics (FOGO) bins would show significant unused capacity in presented bins relative to the recycling bin. The glass bin will be the same with many households barely using it (especially given number 5 below).

4. Contract rewrites - The Victorian Government is proposing that many Councils will adopt the 4th bin when contracts are renewed next year. Simultaneous renewal comes from the round of Council amalgamations by the Kennett government in 1994 which prompted new contracts which average 7 years in length. It is said that the State Government will pay for the bin capital cost (generally less than $50 per bin) but the new bill will spark a raft of new contract requirements around collection costs, contamination clauses, community education, disposal points and perhaps even noise limiting given the increased noise from this new collection (no cardboard or plastics for the glass to fall on).

5. CDS to undermine - one unusual aspect about this announcement is that there will be a widespread introduction of a new bin, with associated infrastructure, systems, rules and expense, which seeks to separate glass bottles from other recyclables. At the same time a container deposit scheme is announced for 2023 which other states show diverts large portion of glass bottles from the kerbside system to the container deposit points. I.e., the new glass kerbside collection will start and then almost immediately be undermined by the new CDS system.

I mentioned the core question earlier; should the system be designed for the processors of the recyclables or for the generator of the waste? In this case the collection system is being designed for the processors to theoretically receive cleaner material. At present, and for a number of years, glass stockpiles have been growing in Victoria and other parts of Australia as the recycled glass. This system will improve the quality of recycled glass in part but the elephant in the MRF building is how the recycled glass will be used. Governments, supported by industry, need to have a reliable, efficient and environmental use for ALL recycled glass collected otherwise the new announcement is like taking laxatives when there is not a toilet in sight.