Sustainability
2 min read
By Pedro Carreira
Updated 25 June 2026
Victoria introduced a separate glass recycling stream (purple-lid bins) under the four-stream system.
Commercial businesses can request a dedicated glass bin from their provider — common in hospitality venues generating 50+ glass bottles per week. Glass collection costs $40-70/month for a 240L bin (weekly).
Under Victoria's Container Deposit Scheme (launched 2023), eligible containers earn $0.10 each — a busy bar recycling 500 bottles/week could earn $50/week ($2,600/year) through a scheme coordinator.
Key Numbers
- Glass bin (240L weekly): $40–70/month
- CDS Vic refund per container: 10c (150ml–3L)
- CDS Vic commenced: 1 Nov 2023
- Busy bar: 500 bottles/week: $2,600/year in refunds
- Kerbside glass stream statewide: by 2027
What You Need to Know
Glass sits in its own purple-lid stream because mixing it into commingled recycling shatters and contaminates paper and cardboard. A dedicated 240L glass bin runs $40–70/month weekly — but for high-volume venues the Container Deposit Scheme can turn that bin into a small revenue line.
| Venue | Eligible containers/week | Indicative CDS return |
|---|
| Busy bar | 500 | $50/week ($2,600/year) |
| Smaller venue | 50+ | Justifies a dedicated bin |
CDS Vic commenced 1 Nov 2023 at 10c per eligible container (150ml–3L), and under Recycling Victoria — A New Economy kerbside glass separation rolls out statewide by 2027. As an independent broker, Bundle Waste audits your bins free, compares glass and CDS arrangements across a network of providers, and is paid only from the savings we find.
Related Resources
Related Questions
What is the Recycling Victoria policy?+
Recycling Victoria is a 10-year circular economy policy (2020–2030) investing $515 million. Key measures: mandatory four-stream separation, Container Deposit Scheme, landfill material bans, 80% diversion target by 2030, and new recycling infrastructure investment.
What is the National Waste Policy?+
National Waste Policy 2018 targets: 80% resource recovery by 2030, halve organic waste to landfill by 2030, phase out problematic plastics. Drives Victorian policy through export bans on unprocessed waste and product stewardship schemes.
Are compostable packaging items actually composted in Victoria?+
Most compostable packaging requires industrial composting conditions (55 degrees C+) not available at home. In Victoria, compostable packaging CAN go in commercial food organics bins if your composting facility accepts them — check with your provider. Many composters reject it because it resembles plastic.
What single-use plastics are banned in Victoria?+
Victoria's single-use plastics ban (2023) prohibits: straws, cutlery, plates, drink stirrers, cotton bud sticks, expanded polystyrene food containers, and lightweight plastic bags. Fines up to about $55,000 for non-compliance. Compostable alternatives are permitted.
What is the Australian Packaging Covenant?+
APCO's 2025 targets: 100% packaging reusable, recyclable, or compostable, 70% plastic packaging recycled, 50% recycled content. Businesses importing or manufacturing packaging over $5 million revenue must join ($1,000–10,000/year membership).
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Updated 25 June 2026
