Swan Hill Rural City Council has joined a coalition of 33 councils across Victoria in launching the “Let’s Be Clear on Glass” campaign, calling on the State Government to delay the proposed rollout of a fourth kerbside bin dedicated to glass recycling and instead expand the state’s Container Deposit Scheme.
In a media release, Swan Hill Rural City Council said the campaign reflects a shared position among participating councils that alternative approaches could deliver improved recycling outcomes without increasing costs for households or operational demands on local governments.
Mayor Cr Stuart King said the council believes there are more efficient and cost-effective ways to improve glass recycling systems.
“We believe there’s a better way, and we’re urging the State Government to pause the rollout and work with councils on a smarter, more cost-effective solution,” Cr King said.
According to the council, independent economic modelling completed in 2025 indicates that introducing a glass-only kerbside bin would cost an average council around $4 million to establish. Households could also face an estimated increase of $27 per year to cover ongoing collection and processing costs.
“This is a costly policy that will continue to impact households at a time when cost-of-living pressures are already significant,” Cr King said.
He added that the impact could be more pronounced in regional areas such as Swan Hill, where longer travel distances and higher fuel costs may further increase the operational burden of additional waste collection services.
“Not to mention the operational burdens for regional areas like ours, where longer travel distances and rising fuel costs would further increase the impact of additional collection services,” he said.
As an alternative, councils involved in the campaign are advocating for the expansion of Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme to include wine and spirit bottles. The council noted that similar approaches are already in place in other states, including Western Australia, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland.
Cr King said container deposit schemes are widely understood by the community and may offer a more practical pathway.
“Building on a proven system is far more effective than introducing an unnecessary fourth bin that will cost residents more,” he said.
The council also raised concerns that the proposed rollout could lead to increased truck movements, congestion and emissions, while delivering limited additional environmental benefits compared to existing recycling systems.
Cr King said community input would play an important role in shaping the outcome, with councils encouraging residents to participate in a survey to share their preferences.
“If you’re already feeling cost-of-living pressure and don’t want to pay more for a service you already receive, we encourage you to make your voice heard,” he said.
Councils involved in the campaign are inviting residents to provide feedback on whether they support expanding the Container Deposit Scheme or introducing a new glass-only ker
