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).<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The proposed system would require households to separate waste into four streams, with glass collected in a dedicated, purple-lidded bin.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“[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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Cr Anthony Aitken said strengthening the CDS offered a clearer pathway to meeting waste and recycling targets.<\/p>\n
“We don’t have to actually look too far [to see] how the container deposit scheme actually can be improved,” he said.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“That’s what Victoria should be looking at in terms of expansion of the container deposit scheme. The solutions are there.”<\/p>\n
The council will continue to advocate to the Victorian government for greater flexibility in how glass recycling is delivered.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n