Victorian councils call on Allan government to abandon bin roll out

Councils across Victoria are banding together to warn the state government that homeowners can’t take the hip-pocket hit of the purple glass recycling bins.

The Victorian government’s four-bin system was first announced under former premier Daniel Andrews in 2020. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Victorian councils are pushing for the Labor government to abandon its forced rollout of purple glass recycling bins, warning homeowners can’t take the hip-pocket hit.

A group of at least 14 councils have banded together to lobby against the mandatory transition to a four-bin system, co-signing a letter to Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos warning the bin cost was too much.

Speaking to the Herald Sun, East Gippsland Shire Mayor John White said the purple bin rollout was a huge cost.

“We are in challenging economic times, and we must consider the impact statewide decisions can have on our communities,” Mr White said.

The state government is being urged to abandon its forced rollout of purple glass recycling bins. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Kerbside glass recycling is one government program that, if implemented as proposed, will cost our ratepayers more. We do not need a fourth bin collection service imposed on us.”

He called on the government to abandon a mandatory rollout and instead consider expanding the state’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) to include items such as wine bottles.

The Victorian government’s four-bin system was first announced under former premier Daniel Andrews in 2020, and councils were told they would have to transition by 2027.

At the time, the government also announced $129m in grants to help, which councils say is nowhere near the actual cost.

Early-mover councils that have already adopted the program include Frankston City Council, Ararat, Whittlesea, Colac Otway, Hindmarsh, Hobsons Bay, Horsham, Macedon Ranges, Merri-bek, Moyne, Pyrenees, Surf Coast, Warrnambool, West Wimmera, City of Yarra and Yarriambiack.

The Surf Coast Council is one of the early-mover councils.

However, at least one in five councils either doesn’t want to introduce the system or will delay it as long as possible.

A Victorian government spokesperson said: “We are working together with councils to reform household recycling, to deliver a significant benefit to local councils, the economy and diverting trash away from landfill.

“The Container Deposit Scheme 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 CDS Vic – the glass bin allows households to conveniently recycle these at home.”

Opposition environment spokesman Brad Rowswell hit back, saying it had been done in other states.

“Expanding the existing Container Deposit Scheme to include more types of glass bottles is a sensible way to recycle more glass. They’ve done that in Queensland, why not here? Instead, the government is pushing ahead with their plan to introduce a fourth ‘glass only’ recycling bin for households. The trouble is, how much will this new program cost Victorians?”

Originally published as Victorian councils call on Allan government to abandon bin roll out