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The Victorian Government has directed all councils to introduce a glass recycling bin by mid‑2027

Independent modelling commissioned by councils found that a fourth bin would be costly to establish and maintain – and that a better, more affordable alternative already exists.

Council is one of over 30 Victorian Councils actively advocating to the Victorian Government to postpone the mandatory requirement for councils to provide a glass only bin service to households.

The group of councils is significantly concerned about the cost implications the glass only bin service will have on their community.

We believe there is a better way to separately collect glass and are asking our community what they think so we can share your views with the Victorian Government.

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Complete the survey

Complete our three question survey, or read on to find out more.

Questions include:

• Question 1: Do you oppose the introduction of an additional household bin for glass recycling?
• Question 2: Should Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme be expanded to include glass wine and spirit bottles?
• Question 3: In which Council do you live?
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Find out more about the legislation

What is the new legislation and what does it mean?

In 2022, the Victorian Government passed legislation requiring all councils to introduce an additional kerbside bin for glass recycling by a proposed date of mid‑2027.

This would mean a new glass‑only bin for most households, collected separately from existing recycling services.

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What are our concerns?

Independent modelling commissioned on behalf of councils has raised several concerns about introducing a separate glass recycling bin.

The study examined 22 councils and found that:

• Introducing a glass‑only kerbside recycling service would cost councils a combined $75 million to set up.
• Running a monthly glass collection service would cost a typical council an additional $1.43 million each year.

These costs are likely to be passed on to households through higher waste and recycling service charges.

There are also practical and environmental concerns, including:

• The added burden on households to sort recycling into another bin.
• The space required to store an additional (fourth) bin at home.
• More waste collection trucks on local streets, particularly in narrow suburban areas.
• Increased traffic, emissions and impacts on neighbourhood amenity.
• Inefficiencies with collections as glass packaging represents a very small portion of the materials collected in the mixed recycling service.
• There are no quantifiable environmental benefits for our community, our glass will continue to be recycled back into glass packaging, it will just cost more to achieve this.

For many households, this change would result in four kerbside bins, including one already used for recycling glass. At a time when many people are managing rising living costs, additional bins and services this may place extra pressure on households.

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Is there an alternative to a glass‑only bin?

Yes. A Container Deposit Scheme allows people to return eligible empty drink containers to collection points in exchange for a refund. In Victoria, this is currently 10 cents per eligible container. Since being launched in November 2023 the scheme has seen around 10 million containers processed a week.

Expanding Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme to include wine and spirit bottles is a proven alternative. All other states, with the exception of Victoria and Tasmania, have already adopted, or are moving towards, this approach.

An expanded scheme could:

• Improve glass recycling outcomes.
• Reduce the need for extra bins and collection trucks.
• Avoid additional ongoing costs for households.
• Return money back to households and community groups.
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FAQs

Why is Council campaigning against the mandatory fourth bin?

We believe it is an unnecessary, expensive and complicated option. An expanded Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) is a proven, cost-effective alternative that already exists and is popular with the community.

How much will this new bin cost households?

Adding a bin creates a 'double-up' in services. You already pay for glass recycling through your yellow bin. If an additional bin is introduced, on average, households will pay an additional $27 per year as part of their annual waste charge.

What is the total rollout cost?

Independent economic modelling found rolling out a fourth bin in just 22 councils would cost $75 million, plus significant ongoing collection, maintenance and processing costs.

Will this lead to more trucks on our streets?

Yes. A fourth bin means more trucks, more traffic congestion in neighbourhood streets and, ironically, more emissions from the collection fleet.

Is Victoria's approach different from the rest of Australia?

Yes. Container Deposit Schemes are being expanded nationally. Victoria is the only state planning a costly mandatory fourth bin. We support aligning with the national trend.

Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme launched in November 2023 is already processing around 10 million containers a week.

Won't a fourth bin simplify recycling?

The opposite is true. Contamination is already an issue. Managing four streams makes doing the right thing even more complicated. Residents deserve a simple, clear system.

What is Council's specific request to the Victorian Government?
We are asking the Victorian Government to pause the proposed mid-2027 mandate, release the business case for the fourth bin, and prioritise expanding the CDS. Councils and residents want an effective, affordable and straightforward system.
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Further information
You can find the survey here: complete our three-question survey

For further information please contact Council on (03) 5153 9500 or email feedback@egipps.vic.gov.au

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