Labor reverses mandatory purple bin scheme, gives councils the choice
Labor stops forcing councils to use purple bins; they can choose now.
The Victorian government has reversed its mandatory purple bin recycling rule after councils objected to the cost and complexity. Councils will now decide for themselves whether to introduce or keep purple bins, matching the opposition Coalition's earlier promise.
The scheme was supposed to become mandatory by July 2027. Victoria's 79 councils had varying take-up, with 42 having implemented it to meet the deadline.
Wodonga Council had strongly opposed the plan, estimating it would cost about $650,000 a year. Mayor Michael Gobel explained the system would be inefficient: "Cleanaway would pick up a purple bin full of bottles and take it to Albury, only to put them in a skip with other recyclables that would need sorting later."
Labor also announced wine bottles will be added to its container deposit scheme, matching NSW's plan.
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- Sports funding
- $540,000
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- $980,000
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Why it mattersCouncils facing significant costs can now avoid implementing the program, potentially saving ratepayers thousands of dollars annually.
AustraliaVictorian councils can now choose whether to introduce purple bins, avoiding potential cost pressures on ratepayers and council budgets.
