Thirty-four Councils across Victoria have united to launch let's be clear on glass - a campaign calling on the State Government to delay the rollout of a costly fourth bin for glass recycling and instead expand Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme.
Yarra Ranges Mayor, Cr Richard Higgins, said councils support glass recycling but believe expanding the Container Deposit Scheme is a smarter, proven alternative to introducing a new, fourth bin for residents.
"The Container Deposit Scheme is already working well, it's familiar to residents and it delivers strong recycling outcomes without adding complexity," Cr Higgins said.
"Yarra Ranges, and the 34 other partnering Councils, believe it makes far more sense to build on a solution that's already in place and widely used, rather than replace it with an expensive new system.
"We'd much rather see an expanded Container Deposit Scheme than watch a successful program be undermined by the introduction of a fourth bin residents don't need."
Instead of rolling out a glass-only kerbside service, councils are calling for the Container Deposit Scheme to include wine and spirit bottles, an approach already adopted in Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland.
"Rather than forging ahead with an unnecessary new bin, we're urging the State Government to work with councils on a smarter, more cost-effective solution that is already proven to work," Cr Higgins said.
Independent economic modelling conducted in 2025 found that introducing a glass-only kerbside service would cost a typical council about $4 million to set up, with households then paying an average of $27 more per year to cover ongoing collection and processing.
Councils say these additional costs would come at the worst possible time, as households face cost-of-living pressures and councils manage rising operational expenses.
"In a cost of living crisis, we can't justify an expensive bin rollout that will increase annual waste charges for every household, when the Container Deposit Scheme is already running well," Cr Higgins said.
Councils also warn that a fourth bin would increase truck movements, congestion and emissions for a service residents already receive through existing recycling systems.
"We have one of the largest metropolitan municipalities, it simply doesn't make any sense to add more weekly truck collections, fuel costs and logistical complexity by introducing another bin," Cr Higgins said.
"Let's build on the solution that's already working, rather than make people pay for a bin they don't need."
The councils are now asking their communities to add their voice to the campaign.
Community members can support the campaign by completing a community survey and telling the State Government what they prefer - expanding the Container Deposit Scheme or introducing an expensive and unnecessary fourth bin.
"Now is the time for community members to tell the State Government what they want," Cr Higgins said.
"We all support glass recycling efforts but the smartest solution is right in front of us, and it's already working."
Councils are urging the State Government to listen to communities, pause the mandatory implementation date for a fourth glass bin, and work with local governments on a more cost-effective solution that improves recycling without increasing costs for households.
