Glass recycling - purple lid
In July 2025, Council introduced a separate glass recycling kerbside collection service, collected monthly.
We have answered the most common Frequently Asked Questions about this service below.
How often will our glass recycling bin (purple lid) be collected?
The glass recycling bin (purple lid) will be collected every 4 weeks (monthly).
What can I put into the glass recycling bin (purple lid)?
You can put the following items in your glass recycling bin:
- glass bottles such as wine, beer, spirits, olive oil, etc.
- glass jars and containers such as jam, pasta sauce, condiments
- labels can stay on.
- lids can remain attached.
- empty and rinse the glass (empty not spotless)
What can’t I put into the glass recycling bin (purple lid)?
You cannot put the following items in your glass recycling bin:
- medicine bottles
- perfume bottles
- glass other than bottles or jars – no light globes, mirrors, drinking glasses and window glass
- ceramics
- Corningware
- Pyrex glass
- broken crockery, bakeware or containers
- general rubbish
- loose plastic lids and bottle caps
- plastic bags
- loose paper or cardboard - but labels left on the glass is ok - they are removed during processing
Can I opt out of the glass recycling bin (purple lid) service?
It is compulsory to have a glass recycling bin if you have a mixed recycling bin. Glass is now considered contamination if it is in the mixed recycling bin (and contamination penalties will apply to loads with excess contamination).
The Victorian Government's Recycling Victoria Policy requires all Victorian households to have a compliant 4-stream kerbside service by 2027 which will be made up of – general rubbish, mixed recycling, food and garden organics and glass recycling.
Since July 2025 glass must be placed in the glass recycling bin (purple lid), not the mixed recycling (yellow lid) bin.
Can I get a larger or smaller glass recycling bin (purple lid)?
No, you cannot get a larger or smaller bin, however you can get an extra purple lidded bin if you need one at no extra charge. The bins remain the property of Council and if misused can be removed from the property.
Can I put broken glass bottles and jars in the recycling bin?
Yes. You can place broken bottles and jars in your purple-lidded glass recycling bin.
It’s normal for bottles and jars to break when placed in the bin, and broken glass is still accepted.
To stay safe:
- Wear gloves when handling broken glass
- Do not wrap broken glass in paper or plastic – this interferes with sorting at the recycling facility
Glass is sorted using advanced equipment like vibrating screens and optical sorters, which can detect and separate fragments as small as 5mm. Even broken pieces are successfully recycled into new glass products.
Where does the glass from the purple-lidded recycling bin go?
Glass collected in the purple-lidded glass recycling bin is taken to the Cleanaway Material Recovery Facility in Coolaroo.
At the facility, the glass is:
Once sorted, most of the glass is processed into new bottles and jars through a method known as “Glass to Glass” recycling, which is the highest-value recycling option for glass.
Glass that is too broken or unsuitable for remanufacturing is diverted for use in road construction materials, ensuring it still contributes to a circular economy.
Do I need to remove the labels or lids before placing them into the Glass Recycling bin (purple lid)?
No, lids and labels can stay on bottles and jars when you place them in the glass recycling bin (purple lid) as prescribed by the State Government in the current service standards.
I use a collection point. How will that affect my service?
A collection point is a place where people bring their bins to when the truck cannot (or it is not economical to) travel past the driveway of a property. Use of collection points must be approved by Council, and Council's collection contractor.
If a property is required to use a collection point, then the collection services will always be optional, though certain combinations of bins are mandatory (waste must be accompanied by recycling and recycling must be accompanied by glass).
Council is awaiting the finalisation of Recycling Victoria’s draft Household Waste and Recycling Service Standard. This Service Standard will define the way in which Councils across Victoria are to provide their kerbside services and will contain guidance surrounding service provision to our community receiving a kerbside service who home compost, use caddy liners, are commercial customers, or are utilising approved collection points.
We produce extra glass bottles and jars. How can we apply for an extra purple lidded glass bin at no cost?
Council can arrange to have an extra bin/s provided at no cost. Please follow the process below:
- Visit the How these changes affect your household? page, select either Properties in Township Zones or Properties in Rural Zones, then find the 'Request additional bins' form
- In the form, choose "Additional Services if required" - click the drop-down menu in the right-hand side of the box
- Click the "Additional 120 L Glass Bottle and Jar Recycling Service - no additional charge - additional 120 L purple lid bin"
- Click the "Do you need an additional service" then select "No" for no extra bins or "Yes" if you want another purple lid glass bin.
- Click the ‘Continue’ button.
- On the ‘Exemptions to Extra Waste Charges’ page, click “Do you require extra bin(s) to dispose of nappies or incontinence products – Select No.
- Services requested - review the form and click continue
- Signature required - complete the form
- Submit