Council pushes back on $7m glass bin rollout

THE City of Greater Geelong has moved to block the rollout of Victoria’s four-bin waste system, deferring any commitment to a standalone glass bin while ramping up advocacy for an expanded Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).

The council voted unanimously last week to push back against the mandated introduction of a kerbside glass recycling service, which under current state planning is expected to be required by July 1, 2027.

The proposed system would require households to separate waste into four streams, with glass collected in a dedicated, purple-lidded bin.

While the framework is designed to standardise waste services across Victoria and reduce landfill, the city has raised concerns about its cost, efficiency and the duplication of existing recycling programs.

Modelling by council officers estimates the rollout of a glass-only bin would cost more than $7 million, with each household paying about $65 to implement the system and an additional $41 per year for waste collection and processing.

Councillor Emma Sinclair said the CDS had already proven its value to the community and its expansion should be prioritised over the introduction of new waste services.

“[The CDS] provides real community benefit in terms of a financial incentive, and local charities and not-for-profit organisations are using this an opportunity for fundraising,” she said.

“It just puts money back into our local community rather than introducing new bins which is an incredible burden on ratepayers in a cost-of-living crisis.”

The city has been advocating against a mandatory kerbside glass service since 2024, joining more than 30 Victorian councils calling for the policy to be reconsidered.

Cr Anthony Aitken said strengthening the CDS offered a clearer pathway to meeting waste and recycling targets.

“We don’t have to actually look too far [to see] how the container deposit scheme actually can be improved,” he said.

“South Australia is introducing, in 2027, wine bottles into their collection system. They’re introducing larger juice and cordial glass bottle collection into their system as well, and plastic at a future date.

“That’s what Victoria should be looking at in terms of expansion of the container deposit scheme. The solutions are there.”

The council will continue to advocate to the Victorian government for greater flexibility in how glass recycling is delivered.