Key facts
- Victorian Liberals promise to reinstate weekly garbage collections if elected.
- Leader Jess Wilson calls the current fortnightly system "disgusting" and overflowing.
- The policy would apply to all Victorian councils, overriding current fortnightly systems.
- The Liberals would also apply the council rate cap to waste charges to prevent cost increases.
- Many councils have adopted fortnightly collections to encourage food and garden waste separation.
- The state government is implementing a statewide four-bin system by July 2027.
The Victorian Liberals have pledged to reintroduce weekly garbage collections for all households if they win the upcoming state election. Leader Jess Wilson described the current fortnightly system in her local area as "disgusting" and noted overflowing bins, particularly with families with young children.
Currently, 33 councils in Victoria have moved to fortnightly general waste collections, often in conjunction with weekly food and garden organics (Fogo) services. Merri-bek council is expected to follow suit from mid-2027, anticipating savings of $16 million over 10 years and reduced landfill waste. Merri-bek proposes increasing the standard red lid bin size to 120 litres, with options for larger bins for households with specific needs like nappies.
If elected, a Liberal-National government would mandate weekly collections and ensure waste charges do not increase by applying the council rate cap to them. Wilson argued that weekly collection is an essential service that should not be determined by postcode.
Councils that have adopted fortnightly collections cite the success of weekly Fogo services in diverting food waste from landfill, where it produces methane. Some councils, like Whitehorse, have retained weekly collections, noting food waste constitutes a significant portion of general rubbish. Other councils have pointed to rising state government landfill levies as a factor influencing their decisions.
This issue follows previous controversies regarding waste management, including councils pushing back against a mandated July 2027 deadline for a statewide four-bin system, which includes a purple-lidded bin for glass. The Liberals have also committed to reviewing the landfill levy and making the purple bin an optional service if they gain power.