Exploring sustainable solutions for waste glass
Glass recycling and manufacturing consume a lot of energy for the high temperatures needed. Image: curto - stock.adobe.com
Federation researchers have partnered with a regional council to look at innovative recycling and manufacturing opportunities and to promote sustainable circular economy practices through effective glass management.
While most councils provide general waste, food and garden organics, and mixed recycling bins, Ararat Rural City Council is one of only 14 Victorian councils that offer separate glass waste bins – a purple bin.
The project explored the possibilities of using glass collected in the region for recycling and potential manufacturing and saw the creation of a Master of Research project led by Karishma Don, who engaged with the recycling industry, sustainability officers, residents, and government in Ararat.
Ms Don, who has a finance, business and auditing background, analysed waste management practices across 520 local councils in Australia, highlighting the varied adoption of circular economy initiatives. She also looked at European research, finding that circular economy practices were significantly more advanced there.
“The valuable outcome we produced from the project is a feasibility report. The council wanted to know whether it would be feasible to establish a regional hub for glass recycling, collaborating with other councils in Western Victoria such as Pyrenees and Southern Grampians,” Ms Don said.
“Ararat is already recycling glass – crushed glass is currently mixed with concrete to build footpaths and other concrete-related construction,” she said. “But that process alone is not economically viable.”
The study determined that the councils collectively generated 860 tonnes of dust from glass waste annually, but for a glass recycling hub, which could produce new glass out of glass waste, it was estimated that at least 50,000 tons would be needed yearly.
“In the short-term, a glass recycling hub is not feasible but it is something that could be considered in a five-to-10-year plan,” Ms Don said.
“We also looked at the actions that can be taken in the short term, like collaborating with other councils to reduce their waste mileage because most regional councils transport their glass waste from Western Victoria to Melbourne for recycling.
“Collaboration with other councils and looking at contracts with third parties who handle glass waste – there are possibilities to reduce contract prices.
“Getting the glass volume for a project like this is challenging, but we also need to consider how we can reduce energy consumption – glass recycling and manufacturing consumes a lot of energy for the high temperatures needed.”
Ms Don, who now works at Warrnambool City Council as a sustainability officer, was a finalist in the Women of Colour in STEM Awards 2024 – recognition for her contributions to sustainability and environmental impact in STEM and was also a nominee at the 2024 Victorian International Education Awards for Best International Research Student of the Year and Best International Regional Student of the Year.
In 2023, she was a delegate to the National Leadership Forum at Parliament House in Canberra, contributing to national leadership and policy discussions.
Ms Don says the private sector construction of a glass manufacturing plant in Queensland that will recycle 200,000 tonnes of glass annually will cost $500 million and demonstrates the level of investment necessary.
In addition to the volume of glass necessary for a plant to be viable, social, economic and environmental considerations exist. Professor Sandhu says the work shows a clear picture of the work required to make a plant work.
“Before getting into the nitty gritty of any project, organisations do a feasibility report but Karishma not only provided that – she looks into the research which is normally missing when you hire consultants to do a feasibility report. Most reports focus only on the financial aspects,” Professor Sandhu said.
“Within our community, it can create jobs and environmental benefits, but challenges like finance and the volume of glass needed exist.
“But the report also shows that it is not just about investing in a new plant, you will need managers, you will need skilled and unskilled people, and infrastructure like schools, kindergartens, supermarkets and other facilities have to be sufficient for the extra people that are needed to work there – it’s not that straightforward.
“While there would be environmental benefits, manufacturing glass produces very high emissions, but recycling can reduce cumulative greenhouse gas emissions. Ararat is already working to set up projects with a circular economy focus.”
Ms Don says another important factor is community education because glass collection requires householders to correctly place bottles that aren’t contaminated in the purple bin. If contaminated waste ends up in the collecting truck – the entire contents of the truck can’t be recycled and will need to go to landfill.