Invercargill City Council is leaning towards changing its recycling system to separate glass from other materials, amid growing concern the city is falling behind national standards.
Currently, residents use a single 240 litre bin for mixed recycling, collected fortnightly. This includes glass, which has led to safety issues and cost inefficiencies.
However, a shift is likely as part of a region-wide review of waste services, which will soon go to public consultation. A preferred option would see an additional 80 litre glass bin added, while retaining the existing collection schedules. The change would come at no extra cost to households, thanks to savings from reduced contamination in recycling.
Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell said removing glass was the “absolute priority,” a view echoed by several councillors. Councillor Lesley Soper added that Invercargill was beginning to look like “an outlier” in how it handled glass, and noted the ongoing injuries at the city’s recycling centre.
“It’s been quite well publicised at our recycling centre that we’re getting various accidents, people getting cuts, lots of problems with glass,” Soper said.
In addition to the glass bin proposal, councillors also discussed the potential introduction of an organics bin for green waste. This service would cost households an additional $35 on top of the current $376 waste fee. However, the enthusiasm for this option was more mixed, with some councillors expressing concern about added costs.
General manager of infrastructure Erin Moogan confirmed the glass bin could be introduced without raising rates, thanks to improved efficiencies.
The public will be asked for their views on both options during a consultation running throughout August. Invercargill’s final decisions will align with a wider regional approach, as Southland District and Gore District councils are also reviewing their waste services.
The final outcome will be determined by WasteNet, the shared solid waste service for the three councils.