Council opposes costly fourth bin proposal

Published on 22 April 2026

We have joined a state-wide campaign against the Victorian Government’s mandate to provide a separate glass recycling bin for home waste services.

Banyule is one of 34 councils supporting the ‘Let’s be clear on glass’ campaign urging the government to reconsider the directive.

“Yet another bin for households to manage and pay for is totally unnecessary,” said Banyule Mayor Cr Alison Champion.

“Victorians have embraced the new Container Deposit Scheme and we believe it should be expanded to accept wine and spirit bottles, rather than adding another costly service for residents to manage.

“Glass is one of the few materials that is infinitely recyclable; it just doesn’t make sense to have a Container Deposit Scheme that excludes everyday glass bottles.”

The Victorian Government has directed all local councils to roll out a separate glass recycling bin for all households by mid-2027.

“We support efforts to increase recycling, and the expense of rolling out this service and the ongoing costs of delivering a service just for glass are not justified, especially when the Victorian Government just rolled out a new Container Deposit Scheme,” said Cr Champion.

“It makes more sense to expand the Container Deposit Scheme and invest in more drop-off points to make it more accessible for everyone, including residents of multi-unit developments, many of whom do not have kerb-side waste collections.”

With metropolitan councils under pressure to increase housing density to meet Victorian Government housing targets, a comprehensive Container Deposit Scheme would become more important.

Victoria and Tasmania are the only states that do not include wine and spirit bottles in their container deposit schemes.

“Victoria has a chance to do this effectively. We urge the Victorian Government to pause and choose the most efficient way to improve glass recycling and to support what works best for our community,” Cr Champion said.

The 34 councils opposing the new bin are conducting a survey of residents.

“We’re asking Banyule residents to get behind us and voice their opposition to yet another bin and the extra costs it would entail,” said Cr Champion.

Add your name to the growing chorus of community support. Complete our short, 2-question survey.

Complete the survey