Why we’re pushing back on the glass bin rollout

AS a Council, we are continuously assessing new and innovative ways to reduce our region’s environmental impact and divert waste from landfill.

We are proud to champion circular economy projects in the region and have taken large strides in building sustainable infrastructure and fostering community-led recycling initiatives that turn today’s challenges into tomorrow’s resources.

So, we will always keep an open mind when it comes to new propositions that reduce our municipality’s household waste.

In saying that, we must balance practical solutions that are supported by our residents, and it has become clear to us that the addition of a fourth kerbside bin meets neither of these expectations.

When the Victorian Government announced in 2022 that it would implement a purple bin for kerbside glass collection, we listened and investigated the impacts this would have on you – our ratepayers.

What we discovered was that you have both no room and no need for an additional bin.

Council-commissioned modelling revealed a staggering $150 million statewide price tag to establish this new glass network.

For Geelong, that translates to an $8.6 million upfront cost – before the first bottle even hits the bin – followed by $5.4 million in annual operating expenses.

Ultimately, this places the burden on our community, with cash-strapped households expected to pay an extra $27 each year.

In the current economic climate, this is an unjustifiable expense, especially when a more efficient alternative already exists: the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).

Since its launch in November 2023, the CDS has been a resounding success, processing roughly 10 million containers a week across 600 locations and putting 10 cents back into your pocket for every eligible bottle or can.

By expanding the CDS here in Victoria to include wine and spirits, we could provide a sustainable recycling path for almost all glass packaging. This has already been implemented in Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland, to great success.

Expanding this service in Victoria could offer our community a sustainable alternative that doesn’t cost the earth.

But instead of building on what’s already working, the Victorian Government is forcing councils to roll out a brand-new bin for glass, a separate truck, a separate collection and a separate processing stream, at a cost to you.

It is not in our interest to increase our fuel usage, truck movements and congestion, particularly in our narrow suburban streets.

It is also not fair that we ask our residents to sacrifice space for an additional bin that could be seldom used.

Councils that have already implemented the additional glass bins have reported a low uptake of participation, with most households failing to put the purple bin kerbside for collection.

We aren’t opposed to glass recycling – we’re opposed to being handed an expensive, inflexible mandate without a proper business case or community consultation.

That’s why the City has joined with 34 councils from across the state to launch the Let’s Be Clear on Glass campaign to try to force the government to back down and pause the rollout.

Community members can support the campaign by completing a community survey at geelong.link/LetsBeClear

Let’s be clear: we shouldn’t have to choose between a healthy environment and an affordable cost of living – with the right approach, we can have both.

Cr Stretch Kontelj

Mayor, City of Greater Geelong