{"id":396663,"date":"2026-04-17T07:57:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T07:57:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/396663\/"},"modified":"2026-04-17T07:57:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T07:57:08","slug":"councils-plead-for-reason-as-fourth-bin-forced-onto-millions-of-aussies-unnecessary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/396663\/","title":{"rendered":"Councils plead for reason as fourth bin forced onto millions of Aussies: ‘Unnecessary’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Councils are stepping up pressure <\/a>to scrap controversial plans to mandate a fourth household bin, impacting millions of Australians.<\/a><\/p>\n

The Victorian government will soon require all councils to roll out purple-lid glass recycling bins by July 2027.<\/a> They’re a tool used to divert glass recyclables away from away from landfill.<\/a><\/p>\n

Unlike the standard yellow-lid bins<\/a>, which take a broad mix of recyclable materials including paper, cardboard, plastic, glass and metal, purple bins are designed for just glass.<\/p>\n

However, opposition from councils is mounting, with more local governments now pushing back against the plan.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Yahoo News this week, Manningham Mayor Jim Grivas added his voice to the growing list of opponents.<\/p>\n

Do you have a story about waste collection in your area? Contact newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Left:<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Why don’t councils want a purple bin in Victoria?<\/p>\n

Instead of the purple bin, he urged the government to expand the state’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) <\/a>to include wine and spirit bottles.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

“Our preference is to work collaboratively on the most effective and efficient approach to improving glass recycling for the community,” Grivas said.<\/p>\n

“We are asking the state government to listen to our concerns.<\/p>\n

“Delay the mandatory implementation date of mid-2027, and expand the Container Deposit Scheme which is already in regular use.”<\/p>\n

VicReturn\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

These costs would ultimately fall on councils or be passed through to households via higher waste fees, it added.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n

Yahoo News polled more than 4,000 people on whether they’d like a purple bin at their property.<\/p>\n

A total of 79 per cent voted “no” while 16 per cent were in favour and five were undecided.<\/p>\n

Last month, the Bass Coast Shire unanimously voted to oppose the mandated kerbside glass service<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Councillor Jon Temby said he believed the “process is unnecessary” and “would be financially irresponsible to implement”.<\/p>\n

Bass Coast now joins more than 30 Victorian councils, out of a total of 79 \u2014 including Boroondara, Manningham, Hume, Monash, Maribyrnong and Alpine \u2014 which have expressed opposition.<\/p>\n

What are the benefits of the purple bin?<\/p>\n

A purple-lid bin provides a dedicated stream for glass, reducing contamination and improving the quality of recycled material.<\/p>\n

It also helps recover more glass for remanufacturing, supporting higher recycling efficiency.<\/p>\n

Yahoo News put the councils’ concerns to the Victorian government.<\/p>\n

It stood firm on its stance.<\/p>\n

“We\u2019ve 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.<\/p>\n

“The CDS has been embraced by Victorians and complements the rollout of Victoria\u2019s four-stream waste and recycling system.”<\/p>\n

“Many items, such as glass bottles and jars, are not suitable for the CDS \u2014 the glass bin allows households to conveniently recycle these at home.”<\/p>\n

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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