Councils have upped the ante on calls for the mandatory rollout of a household glass bin to be scrapped.

At least 14 councils across Victoria have banded together to challenge the compulsory four-bin system implemented by the Jacinta Allan government.

All households across the state are required to have a glass recycling service – or a purple bin by 2027 to recycle large items such as bottles and jars.

Councils fighting the change have co-signed a letter to Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos warning that another wheelie bin rollout would come at a considerable cost to households.  

East Gippsland mayor John White is among those have urged the state Labor government to ditch the recycling initiative.

‘We are in challenging economic times, and we must consider the impact statewide decisions can have on our communities,’ East Gippsland mayor John White told the Herald Sun.

‘Kerbside glass recycling is one government program that, if implemented as proposed, will cost our ratepayers more. We do not need a fourth bin collection service imposed on us.’

Cr White called on the government to alternatively consider expanding the state’s container deposit scheme to include glass items such as wine bottles.

Opposition environment spokesman Brad Rowswell added: ‘The trouble is, how much will this new program cost Victorians?’

Then-premier Daniel Andrews announced the four-bin system in 2020 with councils were given until 2027 to transition.

The government also announced $129m in grant funding to assist with the transition.

Councils have argued, however, that the sum won’t cover the total cost.

Some metropolitan and regional councils have already adopted the program, including Frankston, Ararat, Whittlesea, Hindmarsh, Surf Coast, Warrnambool, City of Yarra and Macedon Ranges.

‘We’re committed to creating a more sustainable future and delivering improved recycling services for our community – starting now,’ Whittlesea Council states on its website.

‘Through this service, old glass bottles and jars will be remade into new bottles and jars.’

However, the Herald Sun reported that one in five of Victoria’s councils do not want to introduce the new system or will delay their rollout.

A spokeswoman for the Victorian government said the state is ‘working with councils’ to deliver the program and ‘divert trash away from landfill’.

‘The Container Deposit Scheme has been embraced by Victorians and complements the rollout of Victoria’s four-stream waste and recycling system,’ she said.

‘Many items, such as glass bottles and jars, are not suitable for CDS Vic – the glass bin allows households to conveniently recycle these at home.’