Hume council has pushed back against a looming state-mandated glass recycling program, branding the reform inefficient, costly, and out of touch with community needs despite potential fines for non-compliance.
At council’s Monday, May 26 meeting, Cr Sam Misho moved a motion rejecting the compulsory roll out of glass bins to households, calling instead for a locally-tailored approach to waste management.
The state government requires councils to roll out glass recycling bins by July 1, 2027.
“The costs to our community are excessive and unjustified. The roll-out of 80-litre glass bins, warehouse leases, delivery costs and education programs is expected to cost $5.7 million upfront. Ratepayers will eventually pay for this with an additional $2.6 million per year. Again, ratepayers will pay for this,“ he said.
“This is a state government initiative, not council’s, but our council will be expected to bear the backlash for a levy we did not design, set or choose. The public already believes this is a council-imposed cost because it appears on our rates notices.”
Cr Misho’s motion also included writing other councils to propose a united front against the roll-out, and to explore alternatives through a sector-wide campaign.
Cr Naim Kurt said he was “in two minds” but ultimately sided with the motion.
“We do need a better way to manage glass waste but I think Sustainability Victoria has got this wrong,” Cr Kurt said.
“Why can’t we use crates instead of glass bins? Why not offer drop-off hubs? Or better yet, why can’t we just expand the container deposit scheme?
“It will cost our council $10 million to roll out alone and this is happening during a cost-of-living crisis. I can’t in good conscience support a service that will charge struggling families more for something they might not use or have space for in their households,
“If it comes down to the council copping a $200,000 fine for non-compliance, so be it.”
Council said it will write the environment minister opposing the roll out.
Thirty-three councils have already called for the mandatory roll out of glass recycling bins to be abandoned by the government, Hume said.
