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A to Z recycling and waste guide

Your A to Z guide to Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO), recycling and waste

If you have an unwanted item and you're not sure what to do with it, use our guide to find the best way to deal with it.

Explore our comprehensive A to Z guide below.

Please note: It is illegal to put batteries or electrical items (e-waste) in any household or street bins. Batteries and electrical parts are toxic. They can explode and cause major fires in our collection trucks and at our waste processing facilities. You can only recycle batteries at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre or through the following the methods listed in this guide.

Have something to add?

Please let us know if we're missing anything and we’ll happily add it to our listing. Email [email protected] with your suggestions.

Smarter ways to reduce waste

Consider how you can reduce waste with the information on our Reduce and recycle your waste page.

Your A to Z guide to Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO), recycling and waste

A

Absorptive pads (e.g. pads in meat trays)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Aerosol cans (empty – excluding paint, chemicals and motor oil cans)

Aerosol cans (full)

Note: Do not dispose in household or street bins. Full aerosol cans can cause major fires in our collection trucks and at our waste processing facilities. 

Aged care equipment

Aluminium foil (clean, rolled into a ball)

Note: If you have more than one piece of foil, combine these into one ball for recycling.

Appliances

See Electrical appliances.

Asbestos

You can find out about the disposal of asbestos on the EPA website.

It's illegal to place asbestos in any household or street bins. Follow advice from the EPA on how to dispose of this material.

Ash (fireplace ash from wood only – must be cold)

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Avocado seed

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

B

Baby accessories (e.g. safety gates, high chairs, cots, single beds, baby baths)

Note: Ensure that baby accessorises are in good working condition before donating.
Check for manufacturing dates and evidence of deterioration before receiving used baby accessories.

Baby/toddler car seats

Note: For safety reasons, car seats must be in good reusable condition, less than 8 years old with mandatory AS/NZS1754 safety stickers. They must not have been in an accident, however minor.

Baby wipes

  • Avoid by using reusable cloth wipes that can be laundered
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Note: Even if labelled ‘flushable’, do not flush these down the toilet, as they cause major sewer blockages.

Bakery and cake boxes

Bakeware, Pyrex and glass food containers

Note: All broken glass should be wrapped prior to disposing

Baking paper

Balls (sporting)

See Sporting goods on our Recycling and waste guide R-S page.

Band-aids

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Barbecues (mostly metal)

Batteries (household – alkaline, NiMH, NiCad)

Note: It is illegal to put batteries in any household or street bins. Batteries are toxic and can explode. They can cause major fires in our collection trucks and at our waste processing facilities. Please only recycle batteries using one of the above methods.

Batteries (car)

Note: It is illegal to put batteries in any household or street bins. Batteries are toxic and can explode. They can cause major fires in our collection trucks and at our waste processing facilities. Please only recycle batteries using one of the above methods.

Bean bag balls (polystyrene)

Note: Polystyrene bean bag balls cannot go in your recycling bin or be disposed of through hard waste.

Bed base or bed head

Bedding

Berry punnets

Beverage can clips

  • Recycle via Endeavour Group's beverage can clip recycling scheme. Drop off locations available at Dan Murphy’s Brunswick East, Dan Murphy’s Collingwood, Dan Murphy’s Prahran, BWS Richmond, BWS Brunswick and BWS Fitzroy.
  • Cannot be recycled in your recycling bin.

Bicycles

Binders/folders (plastic with metal rings)

Biscuit trays (plastic tray inside packet of biscuits)

Blankets

  • Reuse by donating blankets in reusable condition to your local charity/op-shop (see our Op shops in Boroondara page), or to an animal shelter or vet.
  • Recycle via RCYCL, a local Melbourne business that takes your unwanted clothes and fabrics that are too soiled, stained or torn to donate. RCYCL shred these and turn them into yarn to be made into items like rugs, felt and carpet underlay.

Blankets (electric)

Blister packs (for medicine/pills)

Bones (cooked and raw, from meat and seafood)

Books

Bottles (plastic or glass)

Boxes (unwaxed cardboard)

Boxes (waxed cardboard)

Branches (large, up to 20cm diameter each and 1.5m long)

Branches (small, up to 7.5 cm diameter)

Bread, cakes and pastries

Bread bags (plastic)

Bread tags (cardboard)

  • Recycle in your recycling bin by putting in an envelope (do not add loose as it is too small)
  • Recycle by adding to your home compost bin
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Bread tags (plastic)

Bricks, rubble, rocks, concrete and building materials

Recycle at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre (fees apply).

Brochures/Glossy paper

Bubble wrap

C

 

Cameras

Candles and leftover candle wax

Dispose of in your household waste bin

Cans (steel or aluminium, squashed)

Car batteries

See 'Batteries, car' on our Recycling and waste guide B page. 

Note: It is illegal to put batteries in any household or street bins. Batteries are toxic and can explode. They can cause major fires in our collection trucks and at our waste processing facilities. Please only recycle batteries using one of the above methods.

Car/auto parts and tyres

Cardboard (unwaxed)

Cardboard (waxed - e.g. fruit boxes)

Carpet/carpet underlay

Cartridges (printer/toner)

Cassette and VHS covers and casings (tapes removed)

See Tape covers and casings (cassette/VHS tapes and paper insert removed).

Cassette and VHS tapes

See Tapes (cassette and VHS).

Cat poo (all pet poo)

CDs

CD cases (plastic)

CD players

Cellophane

Dispose of cellophane in the kerbside waste bin or as waste at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre.

Ceramics

Cereals and grains

Cereal boxes

Cereal box inner plastic bags

We are temporarily accepting soft plastics for recycling from Boroondara residents at 2 collection points. To find out more, visit our Temporary soft plastic recycling service page.

Chemicals (household)

Recycle through Detox your Home.

Note: It is illegal to put flammable items in any household or street bins. Flammable chemicals are toxic and can explode. They can cause major fires in our collection trucks and at our waste processing facilities. Please only recycle household chemicals using the above method.

Chicken (raw or cooked meat and bones)

Chip packets (silver-lined plastic)

We are temporarily accepting silver-lined plastics for recycling from Boroondara residents at 2 collection points. To find out more, visit our Temporary soft plastic recycling service page.

Chocolate wrappers (silver-lined plastic)

We are temporarily accepting silver-lined plastics for recycling from Boroondara residents at 2 collection points. To find out more, visit our Temporary soft plastic recycling service page.

Christmas trees (plastic)

  • Avoid by getting crafty and making your own
  • Reuse by packing away carefully and storing safely for next year
  • Reuse by buying a second hand plastic tree or donate yours to a charity shop if you no longer need it
  • If broken, dispose of in your household waste bin, if it doesn't fit, take to Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre or book a hard waste collection.

Christmas trees (real)

  • Avoid waste by making own crafty tree from reused materials (for example, drift wood tree)
  • Reuse by using a live plant or tree in a pot every year
  • Recycle by booking a free Christmas tree collection.

Chux wipes

  • Avoid by using reusable cloths instead
  • Reuse until cannot be reused anymore
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Cigarette butts

  • Dispose of in your household waste bin
  • Tip: Carry a pocket ashtray to collect your butts and prevent littering.

Cigarette lighters (empty)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Cigarette lighters (full or partially full)

Recycle through Detox your Home.

Note: It is illegal to put flammable items in any household or street bins. Full cigarette lighters can explode. They can cause major fires in our collection trucks and at our waste processing facilities. Please only recycle full or partially full cigarette lighters through the above method.

Citrus (juice, pulp and skin)

Cleaning rags  

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Cling wrap/cling film/plastic wrap

  • Avoid by using reusable plastic containers with lids or bees wax wraps
  • Cling wrap can be recycled through Terracycle. Alternatively, cling wrap can be disposed of in the kerbside waste bin or as waste at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre. 

Clothing (good condition)

Clothing (damaged)

  • Reuse as rags at home
  • For clothing at end-of-life, recycle the items by dropping them off at select clothing retailers, such as H&M Group and Zara, or recyclers such as Upparel and Textile Recyclers Australia (TRA).
  • Recycle via RCYCL, a local Melbourne business that takes your unwanted clothes and textiles that are too soiled, stained or torn to donate. RCYCL shred these and turn them into yarn to be made into items like rugs, felt and carpet underlay.
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Coat hangers (plastic or metal)

Coffee cups and lids (biodegradable, compostable and disposable types)

  • Avoid waste by carrying a reusable coffee cup or by dining in
  • Compostable types - recycle in your home compost bin (not FOGO bin)
  • All other types - dispose of in your household waste bin.

Coffee filter papers

Coffee grounds and beans

Coffee pods (disposable)

  • Avoid waste by using ground coffee
  • Avoid waste by using a reusable/refillable, metal coffee pod
  • Recycle via coffee pod suppliers which you can find on the Planet Ark website
  • Recycle through the Terracycle website. Search 'pods' to find the ones you can recycle
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Coffee pods (compostable)

  • Avoid waste by using ground coffee
  • Avoid waste by using a reusable/refillable metal coffee pod and your choice of ground coffee
  • Recycle in your compost bin, worm farm, Bokashi bin or green cone solar composter
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Compostable cutlery, plates and takeaway containers

Note: Compostable cutlery, plates and takeaway containers are not accepted in FOGO bins.

Computers, parts and accessories

Concrete, bricks, rubble, rocks

Recycle at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre (fees apply).

Cooking oil (maximum 10 litres in 5-litre cans)

Recycle at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre.

Cooking oil and fats absorbed in paper towel or newspaper

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Cookware

See Pot and pans on the A to Z recycling and waste guide P page.

Cordial bottles – plastic (Cottee's brand)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Cordial bottles – plastic (all other brands except Cottee's)

Recycle in your recycling bin

Corks (natural wine or bottle corks)

Corks (plastic and synthetic wine or bottle corks)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Cotton buds

  • Avoid waste by using reusable cotton buds
  • Reduce plastic waste by using 100% natural paper cotton buds
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Cotton wool

Crockery (in usable condition)

Reuse by donating to your local charity or op-shop

Crockery (damaged)

Curtain rods (metal)

Curtains

  • Reuse by donating to your local charity or op-shop
  • Sell through The Curtain Exchange
  • Recycle via RCYCL, a local Melbourne business that takes your unwanted clothes and textiles that are too soiled, stained or torn to donate. RCYCL shred these and turn them into yarn to be made into items like rugs, felt and carpet underlay
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Cutlery (plastic)

  • Avoid waste by using reusable cutlery
  • Reuse by washing and reusing until no longer usable
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Cutlery (compostable)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Note: Compostable cutlery is not accepted in FOGO bins.

Cutlery (cornstarch, sugarcane, potato starch)

Note: Cutlery made from cornstarch, sugarcane and potato starch is not accepted in FOGO bins.

Cutlery (metal)

D-E

Dairy food products

Detergent bottles (plastic)

Diesel fuel

See 'Chemicals (Household)' on our Recycling and waste guide C page.

It is illegal to put flammable items in any household or street bins. Flammable chemicals are toxic and can explode. They can cause major fires in our collection trucks and at our waste processing facilities. Please only recycle household chemicals using the above method.

Disposable face masks

See Face masks (disposable).

Disposable gloves

  • Avoid by using hand sanitiser and washing hands thoroughly instead - only as appropriate
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Disposable plates (plastic, clean)

Dog poo (all pet poo)

Note: this cannot go in your FOGO bin.

Doors (metal)

Doors (timber)

Dryer lint

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

DVDs

DVD covers (remove paper insert first)

DVD players

E-cigarettes (remove battery)

Eggs and shells

Egg cartons (cardboard only)

Electric scooters (mobility)

Electric toothbrush

Electrical appliances (small)

Electrical appliances (medium and large)

Electrical cords and cables

Envelopes (paper – always remove clear window first and put in waste bin)

Expanded polyethylene foam packaging (bendable foam that does not snap)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

F-H

Face masks (disposable)

Fast food/processed food leftovers

Fats and cooking oil absorbed in paper towel or newspaper

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Feathers (natural)

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Fire extinguisher

Recycle through Detox your Home.

Fish and chips papers

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Fish and seafood waste (raw or cooked fish and seafood, prawn and crab shells)

Note: oyster shells need to be disposed of in your household waste bin.

Flexible/soft plastics

We are temporarily accepting soft plastics for recycling from Boroondara residents at 2 collection points. To find out more, visit our Temporary soft plastic recycling service page.

Flowers

Fluorescent bulbs and tubes

Recycle at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre.

Flyscreens

Foam underlay

Food scraps and waste

  • Avoid through smart shopping – plan ahead, write a list and stick to it. Store food correctly, use left-overs and keep track of your food supplies
  • Recycle in your compost bin or worm farm, compost bin, worm farm, Bokashi bin or green cone solar composter
  • Recycle by feeding to chickens and other pets (where appropriate)
  • Recycle almost all food waste in your FOGO bin.

Fridges/freezers

Fruit and vegetable waste

  • Avoid through smart shopping - plan ahead, write a list and stick to it. Store food correctly, use leftovers and keep track of your food supplies
  • Reuse vegetable skills to make a stock or soup
  • Recycle by feeding to chickens and other pets (where appropriate)
  • Recycle in your compost bin or worm farm, compost bin, worm farm, Bokashi bin or green cone solar composter
  • Recycle almost all food waste in your FOGO bin.

Note: remove the plastic stickers on fruit and vegetables, and dispose of them in your household waste bin.

Fruit net bags (plastic)

  • Avoid waste by buying fruit loose and using your own bags
  • Reuse as a scourer for cleaning
  • We are temporarily accepting soft plastics for recycling from Boroondara residents at 2 collection points. To find out more, visit our Temporary soft plastic recycling service page. 
  • Make sure any metal clips are removed.

Frying pan – including non-stick variety (stove-top)

Frying pan (electric)

Furniture

Garden waste (green waste)

Garlic (flesh and skins)

Garden clippings

Gas bottles and canisters up to 9kg (empty only)

Note: we do not accept disposable butane gas canisters or helium bottles. Return helium bottles to where they were purchased from.

Glass (not bottles or jars)

Examples include window panes, wine glasses and picture frame glass.

Glass bottles and jars (lids can stay on – broken is okay but try to avoid breaking)

Glasses (spectacles/sunglasses)

Glossy paper (e.g. brochures, magazines)

Gloves (rubber or vinyl)

Golf balls

Golf bags

Grass clippings

Grease-proof paper

Hair (animal or human)

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Halogen downlights

Dispose of in your household waste bin - wrap in paper first. These are non-toxic and safe in the waste bin.

Note: these are not accepted in the e-waste collections or detox collections.

Hay

Headphones

Hearing aids

Reuse through Recycled Sound.

Hi-fi sets/stereos

Home security systems

Hot water units

Hose (garden hose)

  • Reuse for other handy garden-related projects (for example to cover sharp metal edges)
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

House wiring

Recycle at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre (in the e-waste recycling skip).

Household chemicals

See 'Chemicals (Household)' on our Recycling and waste guide C page.

It is illegal to put flammable items in any household or street bins. Flammable chemicals are toxic and can explode. They can cause major fires in our collection trucks and at our waste processing facilities. Please only recycle household chemicals using the above method.

Hygiene products

  • Avoid waste by using reusable options, for example cups, period pants and washable pads
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

I-L

Ice block sticks (wooden)

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Ice cream containers/lids (plastic)

Ice cream containers/ lids (waxed cardboard with plastic lining)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Inverters (power inverter)

Irons (clothes irons)

Jar lids loose (metal or plastic)

Dispose in your household waste bin.

Note: lids can be recycled if kept on bottles or jars.

Jars (glass or plastic, leave lids on)

Jex pads/steel wool

Juice cartons (tetrapak, foil-lined)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Kitty litter

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Note: this cannot go in your FOGO bin as it contains synthetic materials.

Lamps

Laptops

Lawn clippings

Lawn mowers

Leaf blowers

Leaves

Leftover food

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Lids (loose – metal or plastic)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Note: lids can be recycled if kept on bottles or jars.

Light bulbs/tubes

Linens

See Bedding.

Lollies (no wrappers)

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Lolly wrappers (plastic or silver-lined plastic)

We are temporarily accepting soft plastics for recycling from Boroondara residents at 2 collection points. To find out more, visit our Temporary soft plastic recycling service page.

Long-life milk or juice cartons (tetrapak, foil-lined)

See Tetrapaks.

Lunch boxes (plastic)

M-O

Magazines

Makeup, cosmetic, beauty products (empty)

Makeup, cosmetic, beauty products (full)

Recycle through Detox your Home.

Makeup pads (cotton or other)

Massage chairs

Massage mats/pads (electric)

Mattresses

Meat, meat scraps, fat and bones

Meat trays (rigid plastic only, washed)

Recycle in your recycling bin.

Note: do not put polystyrene trays that snap easily in your recycling bin. Dispose of these in your household waste bin.

Medical waste

Contact your local GP for correct disposal of various types of medical waste or for permission to use their on-site medical waste bin.

Medicines (old)

Dispose of them safely by returning to your local pharmacy via the Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) scheme.

Note: do not flush down the toilet or put in your waste bin.

Medicine bottle (glass or plastic, empty, leave lids on)

Mirrors

Mobile phones

Mobile phone chargers

Mobility aids (wheelchairs, crutches etc)

Modems

Motor oil (max. 10L in 5L cans)

Recycle at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre.

Motor oil container (empty)

Recycle at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre.

Musical instruments

Musical instruments (electrical)

Napkins and serviettes (paper)

  • Avoid waste by using reusable cloth napkins
  • Recycle by tearing into small pieces and adding to your compost bin
  • Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Nappies (disposable, wrapped/bagged)

Newspapers (clean and dry)

Newspapers (solid or wet)

  • Avoid waste by reading the news online
  • Recycle by tearing into small pieces and adding to your compost bin
  • Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Nuts, shells and seeds (pistachio or peanut shells)

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Office paper (clean and dry)

Olive pips

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Onion (flesh and skins)

  • Recycle in your Bokashi bin
  • Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Ovens/stoves

Oyster shells

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

P

Paint

Paint tins (containing dried paint)

Recycle at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre.

Pallets

Paper (clean/dry, newspapers, office paper, paper bags, post it notes)

Paper (wet/oily, no chemicals)

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Note: If the paper is contaminated with chemicals or cleaning products, dispose of it in your household waste bin.

Paper (shredded)

Paper bags (no plastic or twine)

Paper plates (unwaxed)

Paper plates (waxed)

Dispose of waxed paper plates (both clean and dirty) in your household waste bin.

Paper towels, napkins, serviettes (no chemicals)

  • Avoid waste by using reusable cloth napkins
  • Recycle by tearing into small pieces and adding to your home compost bin
  • Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Note: If the paper towel is contaminated with chemicals or cleaning products, dispose of it in your household waste bin.

Pasta and rice products

Pencils and shavings

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Pens and markers

Pet food

Pet poo

Note: this cannot go in your FOGO bin.

Petrol

Petrol is considered a hazardous substance/household chemical. 

See 'Chemicals (Household)' on our Recycling and waste guide C page.

It is illegal to put flammable items in any household or street bins. Flammable chemicals are toxic and can explode. They can cause major fires in our collection trucks and at our waste processing facilities. Please only recycle household chemicals using the above method.

Pharmaceutical machines (e.g. blood pressure monitors)

Pharmaceuticals (old)

Dispose of them safely by returning to your local pharmacy via the Return Unwanted Medicines (RUM) scheme.

Note: do not flush down the toilet or put in your waste bin.

Phone books (remove covers and add separately)

Photocopiers

Photographs

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Photograph negatives

Recycle in the x-ray bin at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre.

Photographic slides (with cardboard edges)

Recycle in the x-ray bin at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre.

Pillows

  • Reuse clean items by donating to your local charity or op-shop
  • Dispose of damaged items in your household waste bin.

Piano

Pizza boxes (empty – a little grease and crumbs are okay)

Plant pots (plastic) (soil and plant free)

Plant pots (terracotta) (soil and plant free)

Plasterboard

Dispose of at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre (fees apply).

Plastic bags

  • Avoid waste by always taking reusable bags with you and declining bags
  • Reuse for as long as possible
  • We are temporarily accepting soft plastics for recycling from Boroondara residents at 2 collection points. To find out more, visit our Temporary soft plastic recycling service page.

Plastic bottles (empty and squashed, leave lids on)

Note: only plastic bottles and hard plastic containers are accepted in the recycling bin.

Plastic containers/tub (rigid, e.g. take away containers, yoghurt pots)

Note: only plastic bottles and hard plastic containers are accepted in the recycling bin.

Plastic cosmetic tubes (empty, leave lids and pumps on)

Plastic wrappers

  • Avoid waste by avoiding excessively packaged products
  • We are temporarily accepting soft plastics for recycling from Boroondara residents at 2 collection points. To find out more, visit our Temporary soft plastic recycling service page.

Plate scrapings

Polystyrene/styrofoam (white, solid only)

  • Avoid by taking your own reusable cup or container
  • Avoid by avoiding excessively packaged products
  • Recycle at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre (residents or local businesses only).

Polystyrene bean bag balls

  • Bag and tie up securely, then dispose of in your household waste bin. Bagging ensures the balls don't get stuck when the collections truck is emptied.
  • Dispose of at the Boroondara Recycling & Waste Centre.

Note: Polystyrene cannot go in your recycling bin or be disposed of via hard waste.

Post bags (all types)

Post it notes

Pots and pans – including non-stick variety (metal)

Poultry (raw or cooked meat and bones)

Power boards

Prams and strollers

Prawn heads and shells

Printer cartridges

Printers and scanners

Processed foods

Prunings and cuttings

Puffed corn packaging balls (household quantities only)

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Pumps – loose (plastic pump pack)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Pumps still on plastic bottle (plastic pump pack)

Note: loose pumps must be disposed on in your household waste bin.

Pumps (mechanical)

PVC and P.E. pipe

Pyrex

R-S

Radios

Razors

Recycle modern blades and plastic razors via Kew East Community Recycling on Facebook, a local community group that accepts difficult-to-recycle materials.

Receipts (paper)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Records (vinyl)

Remotes

Reusable bags (plastic)

We are temporarily accepting soft plastics for recycling from Boroondara residents at 2 collection points. To find out more, visit our Temporary soft plastic recycling service page. We are only accepting bags made from plastic or polypropylene. No fabric bags.

Rice and pasta

Rubber bands

Salad and dressing

Sanitary products

  • Avoid waste by using reusable options (e.g. cups, period pants and washable pads)
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Satellite navigation systems (GPS)

Sawdust

Dispose of in your household waste bin contained in bags.

School clothes and other accessories

Donate to The Sixth Child for disadvantaged children.

Seafood (fish and prawns – not oysters or shells)

Note: oyster shells need to be disposed of in your household waste bin.

Shelving units (metal frame)

Shoes

Shredded paper

Smoke alarms

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Soft/flexible plastics (bags and wrappings)

We are temporarily accepting soft plastics for recycling from Boroondara residents at 2 collection points. To find out more, visit our Temporary soft plastic recycling service page.

Solar panels and energy storage systems

Spoiled/off food

Sporting goods

Steel (eg food cans)

Steel wool

Sticks/twigs

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Stone fruit seed/stone

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Note: remove the plastic stickers on fruit and vegetables, and dispose of them in your household waste bin.

Straw (hay)

Straws (plastic, disposable)

  • Avoid waste by carrying a metal or bamboo reuseable straw and declining a plastic straw
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

String or twine (natural or plastic)

Suitcases

Dispose of by booking a hard waste collection.

Sushi tray (plastic)

Swimming pool salt bags (empty)

We are temporarily accepting soft plastics for recycling from Boroondara residents at 2 collection points. To find out more, visit our Temporary soft plastic recycling service page.

Note: These are not accepted in your recycling bin.

Syringes

Put safely in a sharps box. Sharps boxes are offered free to residents and can be collected from our Camberwell office.

Note: never put syringes in any council bins.

T

Tablets, digital (eg iPads)

Tape covers and casings (cassette/VHS tapes and paper insert removed)

Tapes (cassette and VHS)

Tea bags (100% natural fibres/paper)

  • Reduce waste by using loose-leaf tea and a refillable 'tea swag'
  • Recycle in your home compost bin or worm farm, compost bin, worm farm, Bokashi bin or green cone solar composter.

Note: accepted brands include Clipper, T2, Natures Cuppa, Pukka, Tielka, Eloments, Love Tea, Zoetic Infusions, Lipton Quality Black and Intense traditional tea bags only – not whole Lipton range.

Tea bags (all other brands)

  • Reduce waste by using loose-leaf tea and a refillable 'tea swag'
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Note: Most tea bags cannot go in your FOGO bin as they often contain plastic and synthetic materials.

Tea (loose-leaf)

Tealight candleholders

Dispose of in your household waste bin. Tealight candleholders are too small to be recovered at the recycling facility.

Televisions

Terracotta pots and items

Tetrapaks (eg soy milk, long-life milk or juice cartons)

Textiles

Thermometers

Recycle by dropping off at Ecocycle in Cambellfield or Ringwood.

Thermostats

Thorny offcuts (eg rose bushes)

Tiles

Timber and fencing

  • Reuse for other handy projects (example, building timber furniture) or give away
  • Reuse as firewood (untreated wood only)
  • Dispose of at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre (fees apply)
  • Dispose of timber (up to 12 pieces, neatly stacked, up to 1.5 metres long) by booking a hard waste collection.

Note: fencing and renovation materials are not accepted as part of the hard waste collection.

Tissues

Toilet paper rolls

Toner cartridges

Tools

Toothbrushes and other oral care

Toothpaste tubes

Tools (electronic or battery-operated)

Towels

Toys (plastic, no batteries)

Toys (electronic or battery-operated)

Tree prunings

Tree roots (small – can be lifted by a single person)

Tupperware

Twigs

Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Tyres (bicycle)

Note: It is illegal to put tyres in any household waste bins, street bins or landfill.

Tyres (car and motorbike)

Recycle at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre (fees apply).

U-V

Vacuum cleaner dust (from wooden/tiled floors only)

Vacuum cleaner dust (from carpeted floors)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Note: dust from carpets contain micro-plastics and can’t be composted.

Vacuum cleaners

Vacuum cleaner hose

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Vape cigarettes (remove liquid cartridge)

See e-cigarettes

Vegetables and offcuts

  • Avoid through smart shopping - plan ahead, write a list and stick to it. Store food correctly, use leftovers and keep track of your food supplies
  • Reuse by making a stock or soup
  • Recycle by feeding home chickens and pets (where appropriate)
  • Recycle by adding to your compost bin, worm farm, Bokashi bin or green cone solar composter
  • Recycle in your FOGO bin.

Note: remove plastic stickers and dispose of these in your household waste bin.

VHS and cassette covers (paper insert removed)

See Tape covers and casings (cassette and VHS – tapes removed).

VHS and cassette tapes

See Tapes (cassette and VHS).

Video cassette recorders (VCR)

Video game consoles/devices

Vinyl floor covering

W-Z

Watches

Wax (from cheese, wine bottles or surfing)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Weeds

Wetsuits

Wet wipes

See Baby wipes.

Whipper snippers

Whitegoods

Windows

Wool

  • Reuse for sewing or craft projects
  • Reuse by donating to your local charity or op-shop
  • Recycle via RCYCL, a local Melbourne business that takes your unwanted clothes and textiles that are too soiled, stained or torn to donate. RCYCL shred these and turn them into yarn to be made into items like rugs, felt and carpet underlay.
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.

Wrapping paper

Recycle in your recycling bin.

Wrapping paper (plastic-coated or shiny)

Dispose of in your household waste bin.

X-rays

Recycle in the x-ray bin at the Boroondara Recycling and Waste Centre.

Yoghurt containers

Zippers and sewing items

  • Reuse for sewing or craft projects
  • Reuse by donating to your local charity or op-shop
  • Dispose of in your household waste bin.