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What is a glass recycling bin?
In 2022, the state government passed legislation requiring councils to introduce an additional kerbside bin just for glass recycling by mid-2027.
Independent modelling commissioned on behalf of councils found that introducing this extra bin would be expensive to set up and costly to operate each year.
The study, which examined 22 councils, found that:
introducing a glass only kerbside recycling service would cost councils a combined $75 million to implement, and
running a monthly glass collection service would cost a typical council an additional $1.43 million each year.
These costs are expected to pass on to the community through higher waste and recycling service charges.
Councils have also raised concerns about the extra burden on households to sort their recycling and the space needed to store another bin.
Adding another kerbside collection service would increase truck movements, particularly in narrow suburban streets. It would also increase congestion and emissions and reduce neighbourhood amenity.
Is there an alternative to increasing glass recycling?
Yes.
A Container Deposit Scheme allows people to return eligible empty drink cans, bottles and cartons to refund points in exchange for money. In Victoria, each eligible container receives a 10 cent refund.
Expanding Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme to include wine and spirit bottles is a proven alternative to introducing a fourth bin. Other states have already adopted, or are adopting, this approach.
An expanded scheme would recycle glass effectively without adding new bins, trucks or ongoing costs for households.
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What is a glass recycling bin?
In 2022, the state government passed legislation requiring councils to introduce an additional kerbside bin just for glass recycling by mid-2027.
Independent modelling commissioned on behalf of councils found that introducing this extra bin would be expensive to set up and costly to operate each year.
The study, which examined 22 councils, found that:
introducing a glass only kerbside recycling service would cost councils a combined $75 million to implement, and
running a monthly glass collection service would cost a typical council an additional $1.43 million each year.
These costs are expected to pass on to the community through higher waste and recycling service charges.
Councils have also raised concerns about the extra burden on households to sort their recycling and the space needed to store another bin.
Adding another kerbside collection service would increase truck movements, particularly in narrow suburban streets. It would also increase congestion and emissions and reduce neighbourhood amenity.
Is there an alternative to increasing glass recycling?
Yes.
A Container Deposit Scheme allows people to return eligible empty drink cans, bottles and cartons to refund points in exchange for money. In Victoria, each eligible container receives a 10 cent refund.
Expanding Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme to include wine and spirit bottles is a proven alternative to introducing a fourth bin. Other states have already adopted, or are adopting, this approach.
An expanded scheme would recycle glass effectively without adding new bins, trucks or ongoing costs for households.
