Aussie councils are pushing back on a state government’s controversial mandate for a fourth household bin — arguing there’s a cheaper fix already sitting in plain sight.
They believe a fourth bin, a purple-lidded bin for glass recycling, would mean more trucks on the road, adding to congestion and higher emissions. The opposing councils say glass is already being handled through existing recycling systems.
In Victoria, the government will require all councils to roll out purple-lid glass recycling bins by July 2027.
Unlike the standard yellow-lid bins, which take a broad mix of recyclable materials including paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and metal, purple bins are designed for just glass.
But opposition is mounting, with 34 councils launching a campaign against the plan.
A fourth bin is proposed for all Victorian households. Source: Victoria Government/Yahoo News Australia
Manningham Council Mayor Jim Grivas spoke on behalf of the councils. He argued there was “a better, cheaper way” to recycle glass.
“This is a costly policy that will hit households year after year, at a time when people are already under pressure,” Grivas said.
The councils say independent modelling in 2025 estimated a glass-only kerbside system would cost councils around $4 million to establish, and households would face an extra $27 a year charge.
Greater Geelong Mayor Cr Stretch Kontelj said residents were already feeling cost-of-living pressure and shouldn’t be asked to pay more for a service they already receive.
“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.
Campaspe Shire Council Mayor Daniel Mackrell said the scheme “made no sense”.
“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,” he said.
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In Victoria, councils must roll out purple bins to households by mid-2027. But, a growing number of councils want the plan axed. Source: Victoria government/Yahoo News Australia
Why don’t councils want a purple bin in Victoria?
Instead of the purple bin, Grivas urged the government to expand the state’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) to include wine and spirit bottles.
This, he argued, would achieve the same environmental outcome as a separate glass bin: clean, source-separated glass. And it wouldn’t impose new charges on households because the infrastructure, logistics and return network already exist.
“Our preference is to work collaboratively on the most effective and efficient approach to improving glass recycling for the community,” Grivas had earlier told Yahoo News Australia.
“We are asking the state government to listen to our concerns.
“Delay the mandatory implementation date of mid-2027, and expand the Container Deposit Scheme which is already in regular use.”
VicReturn’s annual reports point to strong and steadily increasing participation in the CDS, indicating that households are highly likely to also return wine and spirit bottles if they were included.
In 2024 and 2025, more than 10 million containers were returned each year, with over $12,000 directed to community donations, reflecting consistent, large-scale engagement with the scheme.
A four-bin system would involve purchasing new bins, expanding collection fleets, and establishing additional service contracts, Manningham Council said, along with ongoing operational expenses.
The purple bin’s sole purpose is to stop recyclables going to landfill. But is four bins too many for one home? Source: Greater Dandenong Council
Yahoo News polled more than 4,000 people on whether they’d like a purple bin at their property.
Eighty per cent voted “no” while 16 per cent were in favour and five were undecided.
Last month, the Bass Coast Shire unanimously voted to oppose the mandated kerbside glass service.
Councillor Jon Temby said he believed the “process is unnecessary” and “would be financially irresponsible to implement”.
Why the Victorian government wants purple-lidded bins
Yahoo News put the councils’ concerns to the Victorian government last week.
It stood firm on its stance.
“We’ve invested $129 million to help councils to reform household recycling, including to buy new bins, improve drop-off facilities, deliver education campaigns, and ensure that they have the infrastructure in place to roll out the four-bin system,” a spokesperson said.
“The CDS has been embraced by Victorians and complements the rollout of Victoria’s four-stream waste and recycling system.”
“Many items, such as glass bottles and jars, are not suitable for the CDS — the glass bin allows households to conveniently recycle these at home.”
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