As part of the Victorian Government's mandated kerbside waste reforms, Casey will be moving towards a 4 bin system with standard bin lid colours including:
- Food and garden bin (green)
- General rubbish bin (red)
- Recycling bin (yellow)
- Glass recycling bin (purple) - to be provided by 1 July 2027.
We have been planning for this change for several years, and we are on track to meet our legal requirements.
Why is Casey introducing a glass only (purple) bin?
The Victorian Government has mandated a separate glass recycling service for all households under the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021. All Victorian councils are legally required to provide access to this service by 1 July 2027.
Can Council choose not to introduce the purple glass bin?
No. While we have previously advocated against these kerbside reforms, they are now law. Once the requirements were made law, Council's role shifted to planning how to implement them in the most practical and cost-effective way.
Has the community been consulted?
The Victorian Government consulted on the 4‑bin system and the separate glass service at a policy level from 2019-2020, legislated it in 2021, and consulted on the detailed service standards in 2022 and again formally in mid‑2024. By the time local councils consulted at a local level, the requirement for a glass bin was already locked into law.
We asked the City of Casey community for their input in 2024 on how the service should operate, including bin size and collection frequency. This consultation was about how the mandated service would be delivered, not whether it would go ahead.
Has this already been decided by Council?
Yes. In December 2023, Council formally endorsed the approach to implementing these State-mandated kerbside reforms, including the glass service. Since then, contracts for bin manufacture and delivery have been entered, and planning is well advanced.
Why can't Council pause or delay the rollout of glass bins?
We have already entered contracts for bin manufacturing and delivery. These contracts cannot be paused or cancelled without exposing Council to financial claims and additional costs. Delaying also increases the risk of non-compliance with State legislation and potential enforcement action.
How much will the glass bin add to household costs?
For the 2026/27 financial year, the Waste Charge (including the purple glass bin) is proposed to increase by 2.6%. This charge covers all waste services, not only the glass bin.
What services are covered by the waste charge included in annual rates?
The waste charge covers a wide range of services including:
- Weekly general waste collection
- Recycling, food and garden waste, and glass recycling
- Hard waste collections
- Litter and dumped rubbish services
- Waste education programs
- Street sweeping and landfill aftercare
How does Casey's waste charge compare with other councils?
Our waste charge remains competitive when compared with other councils, particularly given the broad range of services funded by this charge. Even with the introduction of the glass bin, Casey's charge is below many comparable councils.
