Purple bin mandate leaves councils divided

VICTORIA’s mandatory rollout of purple glass-only bins is dividing councils across the Geelong region, with the Surf Coast embracing the scheme while Greater Geelong and Queenscliffe fight to stop it.

Under the state government’s four-stream recycling policy, every Victorian council must introduce a separate household glass bin by 1 July next year, regardless of whether they already support the system.

The policy began rolling out in 2022, with councils progressively introducing purple glass-only bins ahead of the deadline.

But while the Surf Coast Shire says its early adoption has improved recycling and reduced processing costs, the City of Greater Geelong argues residents do not want another bin and estimates the rollout would cost millions.

The Surf Coast Shire was well ahead of the state’s rollout, trialling separate glass collection in 2019 before introducing kerbside glass-only bins in 2021.

General manager of placemaking and environment Chris Pike said the shire introduced a separate glass collection because it recognised the benefits of keeping glass out of mixed recycling, improving the quality of recycled materials and increasing opportunities for glass to be reused.

“This aligns with our goal of moving away from a ‘take, make, dispose’ model towards one that keeps resources circulating in the economy,” he said.

Pike said the service cost about $140,000 a year to operate but saved the shire about $200,000 annually in processing costs.

“The glass-only service is performing well and remains an important part of our resource recovery strategy,” he said.

“We consider our investment in the service worthwhile because by separating glass at the source, more materials can be recycled into new products, reducing reliance on landfill and advancing Surf Coast Shire’s long-term goal of transitioning to a more circular economy.”

Greater Geelong argues the mandatory rollout would deliver little benefit while imposing significant costs on ratepayers.

The council estimates introducing a fourth kerbside bin would cost about $8.6 million, with annual operating costs of about $5.4 million.

Mayor Stretch Kontelj said residents had repeatedly told the council they did not want another bin.

“Residents have told us they don’t want another bin sitting in their driveway, taking up space and increasing costs,” he said.

“People have told us that they already have enough bins, most households don’t generate enough glass to justify another bin and many would rather see the expansion of the Container Deposit Scheme.”

The Borough of Queenscliffe has also opposed the mandate, voting in March to join Greater Geelong and 30 other councils urging the state government to delay the rollout.

The borough estimates introducing the fourth bin would cost about $150,000.

The issue has also become an election battleground ahead of November’s state poll.

The Coalition has pledged to scrap the mandate if elected, allowing councils to choose their own waste and recycling systems.

It has also committed to reviewing Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme to identify ways to recover more recyclable material.

Liberal member for western Victoria Bev McArthur said the purple bin was an unnecessary cost on Victorian households.

“If councils want to roll it out and charge their ratepayers – good luck to them,” she said.

“This unnecessary mandate is already driving up costs and diverting scarce resources away from the local services and infrastructure communities rely on every day.”