The deadline for a controversial recycling law introduced by former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has been labelled ‘all but dead’ as councils refuse to adopt it. 

Andrews’ order that all Victorian councils introduce mandatory purple-lidded glass recycling bins by 2027 faces resistance, with insiders claiming it is another setback for the former premier. 

More than 50 of Victoria’s 79 councils have yet to introduce the glass recycling bin despite the looming deadline.

Government insiders admitted the 2027 deadline is ‘all but dead’, the Herald Sun reported.

As of July 2026, only 27 councils have adopted the scheme which means the majority of Victoria’s local governments will not meet the July 2027 deadline.

Multiple Victorian councils warned they are looking at bills running into the millions to adopt the unpopular bins.

It is understood various Victorian Labor MPs are ‘quietly pushing’ for the deadline to be scrapped as ratepayers deal with cost of living blowouts. 

Municipal Association of Victoria President Cr Jennifer Anderson said there is ‘mounting resistance among the councils that are yet to introduce the purple bin scheme’.

The deadline for a controversial recycling law introduced by former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has been labelled ‘all but dead’ as councils refuse to adopt it

‘The MAV has long argued that councils are best placed to decide how waste is collected in their communities,’ Ms Anderson said.

‘Councils need flexibility and should retain the autonomy to determine place-based solutions for recycling collection within their individual communities, in consultation with their communities.

‘As it stands, around 40 councils have determined that the purple bin rollout is not appropriate for their communities and have called for an expansion of the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).

‘Councils and their communities want to do the best thing, both environmentally and financially, for their municipality and want to work in partnership with the state government on what the best options are.

‘Councils have also produced independent economic modelling showing the massive cost to taxpayers.’

In the city’s ritzy beachside south, Bayside Council found a glass-only bin would cost most Melbourne councils close to $4million to establish.

The council also indicated the bins would cost households an extra $27 a year to cover ongoing costs.

Manningham Council in Melbourne’s east circulated modelling commissioned on behalf of 22 councils which forecast the combined implementation bill would reach $75million in 2022. 

More than 50 of Victoria’s 79 councils have yet to introduce the glass recycling bin despite the looming deadline

Insiders predict that staggering cost would have risen since the now four-year-old modelling was formulated.

Kingston Council, in the south-east, said it’s copping a bill of close to $3million.

The local government is among the coalition of 35 councils pushing back against the state’s 2027 deadline while also warning the burden on ratepayers is ‘simply too great’.

Multiple councils, including Boroondara, Stonnington, Whitehorse, Hume, Cardinia and Campaspe, have already voted to postpone any rollout despite it remaining a legal requirement.

The Victorian Government has yet to clarify what will happen to the councils that do not meet the looming deadline.

The Allan government is standing firm and defending the scheme, arguing glass accounts for 29 percent of recycling bin weight and separating it would ‘ultimately save councils significant sums’.

‘We’re making recycling easier for Victorians with the new four bin system which also reduces landfill and creates jobs,’ a government spokeswoman said.

‘Separating glass cuts council costs and boosts recycling rates, and 64 per cent of Victorians who know about the purple bin support it.’

Andrews resigned as premier on September 27, 2023.