The Victorian Government has mandated the removal of glass from the kerbside recycling stream by 2027.
There is now a better way to recycle glass bottles and jars and improve our recycled materials!
As part of the Victorian Government’s circular economy policy and plan, “Recycling Victoria: A new economy”, the City will start the transition towards diverting glass from the recycling stream to improve the quality of our recycled materials.
The City has opted for glass drop off points instead of a fourth kerbside bin. Specially branded communal skip bins have been placed in easy to access locations throughout Greater Bendigo for residents to drop off their used glass bottles and jars for free, just like many of us already do with our soft plastics, textiles and e-waste.
Glass drop off locations
Use our Community Compass map to find a glass recycling drop off point near you.
Drop off points
The new glass drop off points can be found at the following locations. Sites could be subject to change.
*Please note that the drop off points at Elmore, Huntly, Raywood and White Hills may not be available on game days for organised sport.
Axedale Playspace car park
Lake Weeroona: Bendigo Rowing Club car park
Lake Neangar car park
Elmore Recreation Reserve
24 Elmore-Raywood Road, Elmore
*may not be available on game days for organised sport.
Former Bendigo Pony Club reserve
Goornong Transfer Station
Heathcote: Water standpipe
Strauch Recreation Reserve car park
*may not be available on game days for organised sport.
Kangaroo Flat Recreation Reserve (via Luxton Terrace)
Lockwood South and District Community Hall
Maiden Gully Recreation Reserve car park
Malone Park playspace car park
Bendigo Rail Workshop
Raywood Recreation Reserve car park
*may not be available on game days for organised sport.
Spring Gully Tennis Club car park
Strathdale Oval car park
Strathfieldsaye Community Hub car park
Red Energy Arena Car Park
White Hills Recreation Reserve
*may not be available on game days for organised sport.
Using the glass drop off points
Glass bottles and jars can be taken to the drop-off points to be recycled. This includes:
- Glass sauce bottles
- Glass condiment jars (spreads, jams, preserves etc)
- Pickle jars
- Wine bottles
- Beer bottles
- Glass soft drink bottles
- Glass medicine bottles
Please give items a light rinse if necessary, remove all lids or corks and remember to place items in the skip bin loose.
Any glass that isn’t a bottle or a jar cannot be recycled in the new glass skip bins. Such items should be donated, disposed of at a transfer station, or placed in your general waste bin where appropriate. This includes:
- Drinking or wine glasses
- Plate glass, window glass, fish tank glass, glass doors, car windshields
- Pyrex or glass containers
- Glass bakeware or ovenware
- Dinnerware, ceramics or stoneware of any kind
- Perfume bottles
- Light bulbs
- Mirrors
- Art materials or crystal
- Vases
- Cardboard
- Plastic
- Paper
- Food waste
The type of glass that drinking glasses, perfume bottles and glass baking dishes are made from have a different melting point to the glass bottles and jars that condiments and beverages come in and therefore cannot be recycled using the same processes.
If your glass bottle or jar breaks as you drop it into the bin it will still be accepted, however this only applies to bottles and jars. Any other type of broken glass needs to go in your general waste bin or be taken to a transfer station.
You need to remove lids from bottles and jars as they are made from plastic or metal. You can place the lids in your recycling bin if they are larger than a 50 cent coin. Labels can be left on.
Please remove food residue where necessary and give jars and bottles a light rinse.
Frequently asked questions
The Victorian Government is introducing new regulations for the whole state about how kerbside recycling is managed, this includes what can be placed in household recycling bins. Removing glass from the kerbside recycling stream is part of their circular economy policy and plan, Recycling Victoria: A new economy.
The reason for the change is because glass is compacted during the collection process and it breaks and embeds itself in the paper, cardboard, plastic and metal material which in turn lowers the quality of recyclable products. Separating glass from other materials will drastically improve the quality of all recyclable materials.
At this time, the use of glass drop off points is not compulsory. The Victorian Government has mandated the removal of glass from the kerbside recycling stream by 2027. The City of Greater Bendigo has taken a proactive approach to give residents the opportunity to start separating their glass in preparation for the changes to come.
We understand some residents will be unable to access glass drop off points due to transport or mobility limitations. The City is not able to provide support to residents requiring assistance to access the glass drop off points, or glass collection from individual properties. We recommend working together with friends, family members or neighbours where possible. However, if this is not an option, glass bottles and jars are currently still accepted in the kerbside recycling bin until further notice.
No, but you can choose to use any kind of carton/container to collect and store your glass at home before you take it to a skip bin for recycling. Please remember to place your glass in the skip bins loose, just like your recycling at home, no plastic bags or cardboard will be accepted.
The glass collected in Greater Bendigo at the drop off points will be recycled and turned into construction products such as sand for road base.
No. Residents will not be charged any additional fees or charges as a result of the introduction of the new glass skip bin drop off points.
No. The glass from the drop off points still needs to be transported and processed to be turned into a product that can be re-used and there are still costs involved in this that the City is responsible for.
At this time the skip bins are intended for residential use only. If you would like more information please call Resource Recovery and Education on 1300 002 642
Items must not be removed/taken from glass drop off points as this poses a significant risk to public safety. Drop off points are monitored regularly by City staff. Please contact us if you have any concerns.
Victorian Container Deposit Scheme
The Victorian Government is currently working to introduce a container deposit scheme with a 10 cent refund for every eligible can, carton and bottle they return.
It is part of important work that is transforming Victoria’s waste and recycling system.
The scheme will increase the recycling of drink cans, bottles and cartons and reduce Victoria’s litter by up to half. A financial reward for returning drink containers for recycling will help reduce this litter
The scheme will provide shared benefits to the community, environment and economy by delivering:
- More and better recycling
- Less waste - old containers become new ones
- Less litter - cut by up to half
- Hundreds of new jobs and economic opportunities across Victoria
- A cleaner, greener state
The container deposit scheme (CDS) will be launched and run by the Victorian Government and third party contractors in November 2023. The scheme is designed to only accept eligible beverage containers, CDS drop-off points will be separate to the City’s glass skip bin drop off points.
More information will be provided to the community about the introduction of the container deposit scheme as it becomes available.