Hume City Council has joined 33 Victorian councils in advocating to the Victorian Government to abandon the mandatory requirement for councils to provide a separate glass-only bin service to households by 1 July 2027.
At its meeting on Monday 26 May, Council voted to formally oppose the rollout, citing major concerns about the cost to ratepayers, duplication of existing programs, and lack of flexibility to meet local needs.
Introducing a fourth bin is estimated to cost Hume ratepayers more than $10 million - including around $5.7 million to implement the service and almost $5 million to replace bin lids across the city.
Council also highlighted the strong success of the Container Deposit Scheme in Hume, which is already achieving high rates of glass recovery without the need for an additional kerbside bin.
In response, Council will work closely with other Victorian councils to urge the State Government to reconsider the glass bin mandate and explore more practical, cost-effective, and locally tailored waste management solutions. Council will also communicate its opposition directly to the Minister for Environment, emphasising the financial burden on ratepayers and the need for flexibility in program implementation.
Council remains committed to responsible waste management that balances environmental goals with practical solutions and the financial wellbeing of its community.
Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Jarrod Bell:
"Our community expects us to deliver sustainable solutions that make sense – not costly, one-size-fits-all mandates. Hume is already achieving strong glass recovery through the Container Deposit Scheme, without burdening ratepayers with a fourth bin."
"Introducing a glass-only bin would cost our community more than $10 million – money that could be better spent on services that genuinely improve local outcomes. We need flexible, evidence-based approaches, not duplication and waste."
"We're calling on the State Government to work with councils and invest in practical, proven initiatives that respect the unique needs of each community and deliver real environmental benefits."
