Our waste and recycling system is changing.

In 2020, the Victorian Government released Recycling Victoria: A New Economy, a 10-year plan to reform the state’s waste and recycling industry following changes to global recycling markets and export bans on certain waste materials. 

The plan sets out actions to:

• transition to a circular economy
• introduce a four-bin household system
• deliver the Container Deposit Scheme (CDS).

Circular economy

We are moving from the traditional linear model of ‘make, use and dispose’ to a circular economy. This approach focuses on sharing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling materials for as long as possible.

Councils, businesses and the community all play a role in reducing waste to landfill and increasing the use of recovered materials. The Victorian Government has set a target to divert 80 per cent of waste from landfill by 2030. This is supported by investment in recycling infrastructure and resource recovery initiatives. For more information visit, Victoria's plan for a circular economy. 

Council is also working with partner councils through the South East Metropolitan Advanced Waste Processing (AWP) project to explore alternative technologies that can recover more value from household waste and reduce reliance on landfill.

Household waste and recycling services

Under the Victorian Government’s Recycling Victoria: A New Economy, councils are required to transition to a four-stream waste and recycling system, including:

• garbage bin (red lid)
• mixed recycling bin (yellow lid)
• food organics and garden organics (FOGO) bin (lime green lid)
• glass recycling bin (purple lid).

While Council supports a mandatory FOGO service, we have deferred a decision on a future glass recycling service. 

Container Deposit Scheme (CDS)

Victoria’s Container Deposit Scheme (CDS Vic) launched in November 2023 and provides a 10-cent refund for eligible drink containers returned to a refund point.

In Whitehorse, the network operator is Visy. Local organisations or businesses interested in becoming a collection or refund point can contact Visy directly.

For more information, visit the Victorian Government’s website.  

Whitehorse’s position on glass recycling

In April 2026, Council resolved to defer implementation of a separate kerbside glass recycling service. We are continuing to advocate for alternative solutions and are calling on the Victorian Government to:

• reconsider the requirement for a separate kerbside glass recycling bin
• provide greater transparency regarding the business case supporting the service
• expand the CDS scheme to include glass wine and spirit bottles. 

Find out more about Council’s decision on the kerbside glass service.

Residents who would like to provide feedback about the Victorian Government’s proposed glass recycling service may wish to contact their local state Member of Parliament. If you wish to write to your local MP, you may choose to explain:

• your views on a separate kerbside glass recycling service
• any concerns about cost, storage space or collection arrangements
• whether you support alternative approaches, such as expanding the Container Deposit Scheme to include glass wine and spirit bottles.