East Gippsland Shire Council is opposing a State Government proposal that would require every household to adopt a dedicated glass recycling bin, warning it could result in higher annual rates for local families.
Council has joined 30 other Victorian councils in the “Let’s Be Clear on Glass” campaign, calling on the government to pause the planned mandatory rollout of a glass-only bin. The statewide scheme, scheduled for 2027, is estimated to cost councils a combined $75 million to establish and about $1.4 million per council each year to operate a monthly glass collection service.
Mayor Cr Jodie Ashworth said council has been actively advocating against the proposal since it was announced in late 2024.
“The glass recycling bin rollout is a waste of money that would be passed directly to ratepayers. These extra costs would see $27 or more added to every household’s annual waste bill,” Cr Ashworth said.
“Our communities are already doing it tough. We can’t just sit back and let the government force costs onto our residents for a service most of them don’t even want.”
Council argues the Container Deposit Scheme’s 10-cent bottle refund is already delivering effective results. Since its introduction last year, the scheme has been well utilised in East Gippsland, with residents using drop-off points to raise funds for local causes or return money to their own pockets.
“The refund scheme works because it’s simple and there is a financial incentive for people to recycle,” Cr Ashworth said.
“If the government just added wine and spirit bottles to the refund list, like in other states, we could meet recycling targets without charging everyone extra.”
Council also raised practical and environmental concerns, including:
– The space required for households to store a fourth bin
– Increased waste collection truck movements on local streets
– No measurable environmental benefit for the community, with glass continuing to be recycled but at a higher cost
“We all want to recycle more, but it has to be practical,” Cr Ashworth said.
“We want a fair go for our ratepayers and a solution that actually makes sense for our region.”
Council is encouraging residents to take part in a statewide survey. For more information on the “Let’s Be Clear on Glass” campaign and to have your say, visit the council wesbite or a council service centre. The survey closes at 5pm on Monday, May 25.
To date, survey results show 87 per cent of participating respondents oppose a fourth bin, while 92 per cent believe the Container Deposit Scheme should be expanded.
