City of Ballarat said on Wednesday that 1.5 tonnes of glass had been dropped off at glass collection sites around the municipality on the first day of scheme.

The recycling scheme changed on Monday, with council signing a recycling contract with Australian Paper Recovery, who cannot accept or process glass.

The drop-off at Big W in the Ballarat CBD was the most popular, with bins at the spot full by the end of one day, with bins at the eight spots between 25 and 50 per cent full.

City of Ballarat estimates it will send about 20 tonnes of household recycling to the new recycling contractor each day, which will become packaging cardboard, egg cartons, and plastic shipping pallets, among other products. Glass is being stockpiled by the city.

The media release said that bottles and jars at the sites were clean, but residents should remove screw cap lids from wine bottles to make sure glass remains uncontaminated.

Council noted they are continuing to monitor the glass drop-off sites each day and changing over bins as they fill up.

Other drop-off sites include Stockland Wendouree, the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club Rubicon St entrance, the Miners Rest General Store, Gillies Street Transfer Station, Lucas Coltman Plaza Shopping Centre car park, Big W Ballarat car park, Midvale Shopping Complex and 315 Forest Street in Buninyong, behind the service station.

More information at recyclingballarat.com