Thirty-four Victorian councils are calling on the State Government to halt the rollout of a costly fourth bin for glass recycling and instead expand the state’s Container Deposit Scheme.
Spokesperson for the councils group and Mayor of Manningham, Jim Grivas said there is a better, cheaper and more effective way to recycle glass without adding new bins, more trucks and new costs for households.
“We believe there’s a better way, and we’re urging the state government to pause the rollout and instead work with councils on a smarter, more cost-effective solution,” said Mayor Grivas.
Independent economic modelling conducted in 2025 found that introducing a glass-only kerbside service would cost a typical council about $4 million to set up. Households would then pay an average of $27 more every year to cover ongoing collection and processing costs.
“This is a costly policy that will hit households year after year, at a time when people are already under pressure,” said Mayor Grivas.
Councils warn the added costs would land at an especially challenging time, as households face cost-of-living pressures and councils manage rising operational expenses.
“With fuel prices rising, and longer distances to travel in regional Victoria, it makes no sense to add extra trucks for glass collection when a proven alternative already exists,” Campaspe Shire Council Mayor, Daniel Mackrell said.
Instead of rolling out a fourth bin, councils are calling for the expansion of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme to include wine and spirit bottles – an approach already in place in Western Australia, NSW, South Australia and Queensland.
“People already understand container deposit schemes and know how to use them,” said Mayor of Maroondah, Linda Hancock.
“Building on a system that already works is far better than forcing residents to pay more for an extra bin they don’t need.”
Councils say a fourth bin would increase truck movements, congestion and emissions for a service residents already receive through existing recycling systems.
The councils are now asking their communities to add their voice to the ‘Let’s be clear on glass’ campaign. From today, community members can support the campaign by completing a community survey and telling the state government what they prefer – a smarter expansion of the Container Deposit Scheme or an expensive and unnecessary fourth bin.
City of Greater Geelong Mayor, Stretch Kontelj OAM, said residents are already under cost-of-living pressure and want practical solutions that don’t add unnecessary costs.
“If you are already struggling with the cost of living and don’t want to pay for a service you already have, let the state government know,” Mayor Kontelj said.
The Councils are urging the State Government to listen to communities, pause the mandatory implementation date for the fourth glass bin, and work with local government on a more cost-effective solution that is already proven to work.
View the survey here.
