Council and community say no to fourth bin

by JAMES POYNER
22nd June 2026

NILLUMBIK, Whitehorse, and Manningham Councils are amongst the 35 councils that have upped the ante in their campaign to halt the costly rollout of the residential, purple-lidded glass bin following an enthusiastic response via a community survey.
There were nearly 25,000 responses to the “Let’s be Clear on Glass” community survey, with 83 per cent of respondents against its introduction.
The survey also found that 91 per cent support expanding the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) to include glass wine and spirit bottles.
Results at a local level were on trend.
In Manningham, more than 1,700 residents had their say, with 88 per cent against the glass-only bin, and 91 per cent supporting an expanded CDS.
In Nillumbik, out of the 603 responses, 82.6 per cent were against adding the glass-only bin, and 94 per cent wanted the CDS to start taking glass wine and spirit bottles.
In neighbouring Whitehorse, 1,000 residents participated, with 91 per cent against the bin, and 92 per cent wanting the CDS expanded.
Independent modelling suggests the purple-lidded bin rollout will cost Councils $4 million to introduce, with an additional $27 per household per year for ratepayers.
Presently, Councils have until July 1, 2027, to introduce the additional bin.