Thousands of Victorian households will soon be able to recycle more efficiently and divert tonnes of waste from landfill thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s roll-out of the four-bin waste and recycling system.

Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio today delivered some of the first purple bins for glass collection which are currently being rolled out in Whittlesea, announcing grants to transition to four bins across the state.

The Labor Government is introducing a separate glass service to all local government areas by 2027 and a food and garden organics collection by 2030. By separating glass, Victoria will be able to recycle more glass into new products and recycle more materials from the mixed recycling bin.

As part of the Labor Government’s Recycling Victoria Household Education and Behaviour Change Fund, 15 councils will share in over $1 million to deliver local campaigns as they introduce new services, or to improve their existing four-stream household recycling services.

Currently, a four-stream system is provided by six local government areas, which include Moyne, Central Goldfields, Warrnambool, Hobson’s Bay, Surf Coast and Macedon Ranges shires, with Frankston adding the service by 2023.

All councils and alpine resort management boards are eligible for funding under the $6.03 million Circular Economy Household Education Fund.

The four-stream recycling system will help divert 80 per cent of all material away from landfill, including 20,000 tonnes of glass, as part of the Labor Government’s waste and recycling reforms that will create nearly 4,000 new jobs and boost Victoria’s economy by up to $6.7 billion by 2030.

The Government has invested over $515 million to deliver the biggest ever transformation and reform of Victoria’s waste and recycling industry. This includes $380 million to deliver Recycling Victoria which will fundamentally reduce waste, boost jobs and establish a recycling system on which Victorians can rely.

For more information and a list of councils who have received funding, visit sustainability.vic.gov.au/grants-funding-and-investment/funded-projects-2

Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment and Climate Action Lily D’Ambrosio

“We’re getting on with rolling out the game-changing new four-stream recycling system, keeping glass and other valuable resources out of landfill and recycling them into new products.”

“Our new household recycling services will maximise our recycling capacity, create new jobs and divert 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030, reducing emissions be 50 per cent by the same year.”

Circular Economy Household Education Fund; Round 2 recipients August 2022

Brimbank City Council, $101,636

Introducing 4-stream household recycling services through a staggered approach, with universal FOGO and glass kerbside services in September 2023.

Central Goldfields Shire Council, $49,218

Introducing glass and FOGO drop off and expanding existing FOGO-kerbside opt in service in October 2023.

Golden Plains Shire Council, $57,977

Planning introduction of 4 stream services in July 2024 and updating landfill lid to lime green which will become the FOGO bin.

Greater Shepparton City Council, $74,918

Introducing glass drop-off in July 2022 and in November 2023 considering changing collection frequency of FOGO kerbside service and landfill.

Hindmarsh Shire Council, $44,218

Introducing glass kerbside in four towns and glass drop off points for three towns in December 2022.

Mildura Rural City Council, $66,318

Introducing kerbside and drop off glass service to achieve 4-stream services in July 2024. Also updating bin lid colours.

Moonee Valley City Council, $92,077

Expanding existing opt-in FOGO services to a mandatory universal FOGO service in July 2023.

Moreland City Council, $102,236

Expanding existing opt-in FOGO to a universal service and introduce glass kerbside and drop off service in July 2023, and changing collection frequencies and bin sizes, with trials on frequency changes in 2024.

Mount Alexander Shire Council, $58,877

Introducing glass drop off service in October 2022, and FOGO kerbside service around October 2023.

South Gippsland Shire Council, $59,818

Introducing glass drop off service in November 2022 and introducing food organics to their garden organics service in February 2023.

Swan Hill Rural City Council, $60,918

Introduce glass kerbside service and introducing food organics to their garden organics kerbside service in July 2024 to achieve 4-stream services.

Towong Shire Council, $40,377

Council is introduction kerbside and drop off FOGO and glass service in May 2024, to achieve 4 stream services. Council will also update the landfill bin lid colour to red from light green.

Rural City of Wangaratta, $60,518

Introducing glass kerbside and improving use of FOGO kerbside service.

Yarra City Council, $88,118

Introduce FOGO service from March 2023, through a staged approach and offer both kerbside and drop off.

Yarra Ranges Shire Council, $83,277

Introducing kerbside glass service and food and garden organics service and updating landfill bin lid colour from green to red in October 2023.