Councils are stepping up pressure to scrap controversial plans to mandate a fourth household bin, impacting millions of Australians.
The Victorian government will soon require all councils to roll out purple-lid glass recycling bins by July 2027. They’re a tool used to divert glass recyclables away from away from landfill.
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.
However, opposition from councils is mounting, with more local governments now pushing back against the plan.
Speaking to Yahoo News this week, Manningham Mayor Jim Grivas added his voice to the growing list of opponents.
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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, he 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 said.
“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.
These costs would ultimately fall on councils or be passed through to households via higher waste fees, it added.
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.
A total of 79 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”.
Bass Coast now joins more than 30 Victorian councils, out of a total of 79 — including Boroondara, Manningham, Hume, Monash, Maribyrnong and Alpine — which have expressed opposition.
What are the benefits of the purple bin?
A purple-lid bin provides a dedicated stream for glass, reducing contamination and improving the quality of recycled material.
It also helps recover more glass for remanufacturing, supporting higher recycling efficiency.
Yahoo News put the councils’ concerns to the Victorian government.
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 ensuring 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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