Let’s be clear on glass recycling

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Let’s be clear on glass recycling

This survey has now closed.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey. Your feedback has been shared with the state government in support of our advocacy campaign against the proposed glass-only kerbside collection service.

We heard from almost 25,000 Victorians in response to this survey, and the message is clear: they don’t want a costly fourth glass recycling bin.

The statewide survey, led by 35 councils, captured a strong cross-section of community views and found 83% oppose the purple-lidded, glass-only bin.

Instead, the community backs a smarter solution with 91% supporting expansion of the Container Deposit Scheme to include glass wine and spirit bottles, improving recycling options without adding another bin.

In Manningham, the results tell the same story. More than 1,700 residents had their say, with 88% against the glass-only bin, and 91% supporting an expanded Container Deposit Scheme.

Despite this, the Victorian Government requires local councils to rollout a separate glass-only kerbside service by July 2027. Independent modelling estimates this would cost a typical council around $4 million to set up, plus $27 per household each year. These costs are expected to pass on to the community through higher waste and recycling service charges.

The state government has previously cited a business case to support its mandate. Councils are calling for it to be released to allow transparent comparison with independent economic modelling commissioned in 2025.

With strong community opposition and significant costs, 39 councils have joined forces, urging the state government to reconsider the July 2027 deadline.

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 and congestion particularly in narrow suburban streets. It would also increase emissions and reduce neighbourhood amenity.

Why is Council campaigning against the mandatory glass-only bin?

Because it is an unnecessary, complicated option and a more cost-effective alternative already exists. An expanded Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) is the best solution for Victoria. Since the CDS launched, it has proven to be a massive success and is popular with the community. Expanding it to include wine and spirit bottles will capture more glass more efficiently and at a much lower cost than rolling out a new kerbside bin.

What happens now?

The coalition of councils has contacted Victorian ministers, sharing the findings of this survey and requesting that they

  • Extend the deadline for glass-only bins
  • Expand the Container Deposit Scheme to include glass wine and spirit bottles
  • Review the effectiveness of the Container Deposit Scheme
  • Share the business case for kerbside glass recycling.

The Liberal–National Coalition has promised to scrap the statewide glass-only recycling bin mandate if elected in November 2026. Media reports stated that the Victorian Government may be reconsidering the July 2027 deadline for councils to introduce a separate glass bin.

Momentum is building across Victoria. Councils, communities and stakeholders are increasingly questioning the need for a costly, state-mandated fourth bin.

What's next?

We will continue working with councils across Victoria to advocate for practical, affordable and effective recycling solutions that deliver better outcomes for communities.

To find out more check Manningham Councils' advocacy projects(External link).

About the survey

How people participated

  • The survey was open from April to May 2026 for a five-week period.
  • Residents across Victoria were invited to participate through participating councils' communication channels.
  • Respondents selected their council from a list of all 79 Victorian councils.
  • A total of 24,734 responses were received, including 1707 responses from Manningham residents.

How to interpret the results

This was a voluntary, self-selected survey. Results provide an indication of the views of people who chose to participate and should not be considered statistically representative of the broader community. Response rates may vary between councils depending on local promotion and participation levels.

Let’s be clear on glass recycling

This survey has now closed.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the survey. Your feedback has been shared with the state government in support of our advocacy campaign against the proposed glass-only kerbside collection service.

We heard from almost 25,000 Victorians in response to this survey, and the message is clear: they don’t want a costly fourth glass recycling bin.

The statewide survey, led by 35 councils, captured a strong cross-section of community views and found 83% oppose the purple-lidded, glass-only bin.

Instead, the community backs a smarter solution with 91% supporting expansion of the Container Deposit Scheme to include glass wine and spirit bottles, improving recycling options without adding another bin.

In Manningham, the results tell the same story. More than 1,700 residents had their say, with 88% against the glass-only bin, and 91% supporting an expanded Container Deposit Scheme.

Despite this, the Victorian Government requires local councils to rollout a separate glass-only kerbside service by July 2027. Independent modelling estimates this would cost a typical council around $4 million to set up, plus $27 per household each year. These costs are expected to pass on to the community through higher waste and recycling service charges.

The state government has previously cited a business case to support its mandate. Councils are calling for it to be released to allow transparent comparison with independent economic modelling commissioned in 2025.

With strong community opposition and significant costs, 39 councils have joined forces, urging the state government to reconsider the July 2027 deadline.

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 and congestion particularly in narrow suburban streets. It would also increase emissions and reduce neighbourhood amenity.

Why is Council campaigning against the mandatory glass-only bin?

Because it is an unnecessary, complicated option and a more cost-effective alternative already exists. An expanded Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) is the best solution for Victoria. Since the CDS launched, it has proven to be a massive success and is popular with the community. Expanding it to include wine and spirit bottles will capture more glass more efficiently and at a much lower cost than rolling out a new kerbside bin.

What happens now?

The coalition of councils has contacted Victorian ministers, sharing the findings of this survey and requesting that they

  • Extend the deadline for glass-only bins
  • Expand the Container Deposit Scheme to include glass wine and spirit bottles
  • Review the effectiveness of the Container Deposit Scheme
  • Share the business case for kerbside glass recycling.

The Liberal–National Coalition has promised to scrap the statewide glass-only recycling bin mandate if elected in November 2026. Media reports stated that the Victorian Government may be reconsidering the July 2027 deadline for councils to introduce a separate glass bin.

Momentum is building across Victoria. Councils, communities and stakeholders are increasingly questioning the need for a costly, state-mandated fourth bin.

What's next?

We will continue working with councils across Victoria to advocate for practical, affordable and effective recycling solutions that deliver better outcomes for communities.

To find out more check Manningham Councils' advocacy projects(External link).

About the survey

How people participated

  • The survey was open from April to May 2026 for a five-week period.
  • Residents across Victoria were invited to participate through participating councils' communication channels.
  • Respondents selected their council from a list of all 79 Victorian councils.
  • A total of 24,734 responses were received, including 1707 responses from Manningham residents.

How to interpret the results

This was a voluntary, self-selected survey. Results provide an indication of the views of people who chose to participate and should not be considered statistically representative of the broader community. Response rates may vary between councils depending on local promotion and participation levels.

Page last updated: 31 Jul 2026, 02:33 PM