Why more than 30 councils are blocking glass recycling bins over multi-million dollar bill burdens

Councils across Melbourne’s east are defying the upcoming state-mandated glass recycling rollout, warning it could cost them millions and push up household rates.

Matthew Sims
April 24, 2026

Boroondara ratepayers could face annual fee increases of up to $46 per household if the council introduces a mandatory glass recycling bin, prompting the council to join 33 others in asking the state government to push back its July 2027 deadline.

🗓️ How did we get here? The idea for a glass-only bin first appeared in the State Government’s Recycling Victoria plan, released in 2020, which said all households would have access to glass recycling by 2027.

Since then, 42 councils have introduced separate glass recycling services.

⌛️ Time running out: According to the plan, all councils must have a separate glass recycling service in place by July 1, 2027.

However, several eastern Melbourne councils — including Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Whitehorse, Monash, Yarra Ranges and Boroondara — have opposed the mandate.

These councils have also joined the “Let’s Be Clear on Glass” campaign, made up of 34 local governments, asking residents to complete an online survey, with responses to be sent to the State Government to showcase community attitudes to the scheme.

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Big developments, local petitions and a controversial glass bin rollout were among the items.

🍾 Why separate glass? Recycling glass separately reduces the risk of contamination – shards of broken glass entering the main recycling stream and damaging paper and cardboard and sending more waste to landfill.

💰 Cost concerns: Among local councils, cost has been a common cause of opposition, with estimates on the initial cost burden including $3.7 million, or $59 per household, in Knox, and $6.5 million, or $46 per household, in Boroondara.

Manningham mayor Jim Grivas said councils want the rollout paused in favour of a “more cost-effective solution”.

Maroondah mayor Linda Hancock said the opposing councils would instead support expanding Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) to include wine and spirit bottles.

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A new facility is set to cut down on landfill in the area, but not until 2029. In the meantime, Whitehorse Council is one local council footing the bill.

🛑 No expansion planned: Since November 2023, Victoria’s CDS has allowed residents to return eligible drink containers, including some glass bottles such as beer and cider, for a 10-cent refund.

VicReturn chief executive Matt Davis said there are no current plans to expand the scheme, as this is a decision for the State Government.

🗣️ “Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme complements existing council kerbside recycling services, including the purple glass bins offered in some Victorian LGAs,” Davis told the Eastern Melburnian.