Manningham Council has voted to not proceed with a separate kerbside glass recycling service, citing significant costs, uncertainty around requirements, and strong community opposition to the proposal.
The decision follows consideration of the Victorian Government’s proposed requirement for councils to introduce a dedicated glass recycling service from 1 July 2027.
Mayor, Jim Grivas said Manningham Council remained committed to improving recycling and resource recovery outcomes but had determined that introducing a glass-only bin at this stage was not in the best interests of its residents.
“We carefully considered the financial implications, community feedback and the lack of finalised state government requirements before reaching this decision,” Mayor Grivas said.
“Our community has made it clear they do not support the introduction of a separate glass recycling bin, and we believe it would be premature to commit significant resources before the state government releases the service standards and supporting regulations.”
Almost 25,000 Victorians participated in a survey in April and May 2026, which found that in Manningham, 88% of respondents opposed the introduction of a glass-only kerbside recycling service.
As of this month, the Victorian Government has not released the final service standards or supporting regulations that would outline how a mandatory glass recycling service is expected to operate.
“We estimate that introducing a separate glass kerbside collection service would require an upfront investment of approximately $2.66 million, in addition to ongoing annual operating costs of around $193,000,” Mayor Grivas said.
“We want to continue delivering practical and cost-effective waste and recycling services for our community.
“That said, local governments should have the flexibility to deliver services that best meet the needs of their communities while achieving environmental objectives.”
Manningham Council says it will continue to monitor developments and engage with the Victorian Government regarding the proposed reforms to Victoria’s waste and recycling system.
