The Andrews Labor Government is transforming the way Victorians recycle their glass, diverting tonnes of waste from landfill.

Acting Minister for Environment Lily D’Ambrosio today visited the City of Merri-bek to announce that new purple-lidded bins for glass are now being rolled out to residents across the municipality, with the rollout to be complete by July.

By separating glass, Victoria will be able to recycle more glass into new products and re-use more materials from the yellow mixed recycling bin due to reduced contamination from glass.

The glass bin will work alongside Victoria’s new container deposit scheme, CDS Vic, which commences on 1 November – making it easier for Victorians to recycle their glass whether they are at home or out in the community.

The City of Merri-bek will become the thirteenth early-mover council to complete the rollout of its kerbside glass service, joining Ararat, Whittlesea, Colac Otway, Hobsons Bay, Horsham, Macedon Ranges, Moyne, Pyrenees, Surf Coast, Warrnambool, City of Yarra and Yarriambiack, with other councils continuing to prepare for their rollout.

The Labor Government has invested $129 million to support all Victorian councils to buy new bins, improve drop-off facilities, deliver education campaigns and ensure they have the infrastructure in place to roll out these reforms.

The four-stream recycling system is a key part of the Labor Government’s waste and recycling reforms, ensuring that we meet our goal of diverting 80 per cent of all material away from landfill by 2030, including 20,000 tonnes of glass.

These reforms will create nearly 4,000 new jobs for Victorians and boost our state’s economy by up to $6.7 billion by 2030 – backed by the Government’s $515 million investment to deliver the biggest ever transformation of the waste and recycling sector in our state’s history.

This significant investment includes $380 million to deliver our circular economy policy, Recycling Victoria: a new economy, which will further reduce waste, boost jobs and establish a recycling system Victorians can rely on.

Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Environment Lily D’Ambrosio

“The four-stream recycling system will work alongside our new Container Deposit Scheme to make it easier than ever for Victorians to recycle their glass, so that it can be turned 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, while helping to reduce emissions by 50 per cent”

Quote attributable to Member for Broadmeadows Kathleen Matthews-Ward

“The Labor Government continues to lead the way in waste and recycling reform.”

Quote attributable to City of Merri-bek Mayor Angelica Panopoulos

“We’re proud to be a leader in sustainability and early adopter of the 4-stream waste service, and this funding will help us ensure the transition is as smooth as possible for our community.”