Thirty-four councils across Victoria have united to launch Let’s be Clear on Glass - a campaign calling on the state government to delay the rollout of a costly fourth bin for glass recycling
and instead expand Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme.
 
Speaking on behalf of the councils, Mayor of Manningham Cr Jim Grivas said there is a better, cheaper and more effective way to recycle glass without adding new bins, more trucks and new costs for households. “We believe there’s a better way, and we’re urging the state government to pause the rollout and instead work with councils on a smarter, more cost-effective solution,” said Cr Grivas.

Independent economic modelling conducted in 2025 found that introducing a glass-only kerbside service would cost a typical council about $4 million to set up. Households would
then pay an average of $27 more every year to cover ongoing collection and processing costs. “This is a costly policy that will hit households year after year, at a time when people are already under pressure,” said Cr Grivas. Councils warn the added costs would land at an especially challenging time, as households face cost-of-living pressures and councils manage rising operational expenses. “With fuel prices rising, and longer distances to travel in regional Victoria, it makes no sense to add extra trucks for glass collection when a proven alternative already exists,”
Campaspe Shire Council Mayor, Cr Daniel Mackrell said.

Instead of rolling out a fourth bin, councils are calling for the expansion of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme to include wine and spirit bottles – an approach already in
place in Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland. “People already understand container deposit schemes and know how to use them,” said Cr Linda Hancock, Mayor of Maroondah. “Building on a system that already works is far better than forcing residents to pay more for an extra bin they don’t need,” said Cr Hancock. Councils say a fourth bin would increase truck movements, congestion and emissions for a service residents already receive through existing recycling systems.

The councils are now asking their communities to add their voice to the campaign. From today, community members can support the campaign by completing a community survey
and telling the state government what they prefer – a smarter expansion of the Container Deposit Scheme or an expensive and unnecessary fourth bin.

Mayor of the City of Greater Geelong, Cr Stretch Kontelj OAM, said residents are already under cost-of-living pressure and want practical solutions that don’t add unnecessary costs.
“If you are already struggling with the cost of living and don’t want to pay for a service you already have, let the state government know,” Cr Kontelj said, Councils are urging the state government to listen to communities, pause the mandatory implementation date for the fourth glass bin, and work with local government on a more cost-effective solution that is already proven to work.

Survey link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=j61e37yVdk-
1aw8TmJB_Vo9kxzNnX25NofrJE_FBwPxUMkxEUVlPVE4wRkJBRkFLSUZIMERUNDk4My4u

Survey embed URL: https://forms.office.com/r/em2QJVtrnG?embed=true