Let’s be clear on glass recycling

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 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.

Tell the government what you think