Councils push back on glass bins
by SANDI MILLER
22nd April 2026
AS THE JULY 2027 deadline for implementing the introduction of a fourth “purple lidded” glass bin service gets closer, Manningham Council is reiterating its serious concerns about the rollout.
Both Manningham and Nillumbik Councils are among more than 30 councils objecting to the mandatory introduction of purple bins.
Manningham has urged the government to consider a different approach to glass recycling, pause the rollout, and instead work with councils on smarter, more cost-effective solutions that achieve strong environmental outcomes without burdening households.
“We want to see the Container Deposit Scheme expanded so that people can deposit their wine and spirit bottles through existing infrastructure,” said a statement from Manningham Council.
This approach is already in motion in other states, including Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland.
Manningham Council said this would provide similar environmental benefits, while shifting the costs to polluters rather than councils and their ratepayers.
Nillumbik Council noted a similar advocacy position in 2025.
Manningham Mayor Jim Grivas told the media that a glass-only bin service will cost Victorian councils millions of dollars to roll out.
Economic modelling has found that it would cost an additional $27 in waste-disposal charges per household, on average, each year.
The study, which examined 22 councils, found that:
- introducing a glass only kerbside recycling service would cost councils a combined $75 million to implement, and
- running a monthly glass collection service would cost a typical council an additional $1.43M each year.
“We ask the state government to listen to our communities’ concerns, delay the mandatory implementation date, and expand the options that exist and are already in regular use.
“Every cent counts, and people are already feeling the impacts of increased costs — we need to make sure our essential waste services aren’t a waste of money for our community.
“More bins mean more costs, more trucks, more congestion, and more contamination — there is a better way to recycle glass,”
The council statement said.
Some councils have also raised concerns about the extra burden on households to sort their recycling and the space needed to store another bin.
Cr Grivas said adding another kerbside collection service would increase truck movements, particularly in narrow suburban streets, and would increase congestion and emissions, as well as reduce neighbourhood amenity.
He said an expanded container deposit scheme would recycle glass effectively without adding new bins, trucks, or ongoing costs for households.
However, the State Government’s stated position is that Victoria’s CDS is designed to target beverage containers that most commonly contribute to litter.
“The kerbside reforms, which include the introduction of a separate household collection of glass, will complement the scheme by making recycling at home better.”
Manningham has released a survey, asking residents their opinions on the glass bin scheme.
Visit manningham.vic.gov.au/news/lets-be-clear-glass-recycling.
Nillumbik residents visit: participate.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/projects/glass-bin
