Replacing recycling bins across Warrnambool is a "complete waste of money", according to city councillor Richard Ziegeler.
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He expressed his views about the program after a question was asked during public question time.
A question was submitted asking for clarification on the age of recycling bins, with information from the council stating they were 20 years old.
The person who submitted the question said the recycling bins were introduced in 2005 to replace crates, making them 15 years old, not 20.
Acting chief executive officer Vikki King said that was correct.
"The recycling bins were rolled out in 2005 to replace the 60 litre crates," she said.
"The figure used was a general figure relating to the recycle bins and the garbage bins which together on average are well over 20 years old
"We apologise if this was not clear."
Cr Ziegeler said he did not believe the recycling bins needed to be replaced.
"It's $1.5 million it commits the community to," he said.
"I know the explanations that have been put by the officers and I don't necessarily agree with many of them."
Ms King said in a media release while some recycling bins might still be in working order, it was more practical to replace all household bins in one effort.
"Many of our existing household recycling bins in Warrnambool are about 20 years old, which is roughly the age at which they start to fail," Ms King said.
The $43 cost of replacing each of the 15,900 bins would be spread over the life of the new contract, which runs until 2026.
"Each year we replace hundreds of bins that are either broken or missing.
"It's cheaper in the long run to give everyone a new bin now than to continually replace and deliver bins on an ad hoc basis.
"RFID technology in the new bins will minimise lost and stolen bins and help with reducing recycling contamination by pinpointing contaminated bins."
Parts from the old bins will be reused, while the plastic components will be recycled.
Ms King said upgrading all recycling bins was the next step in council's kerbside collection overhaul, with dedicated glass-only bins to be rolled out to all households in early 2021 following a successful trial involving more than 3000 properties.
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