How to use your general waste bin

We collect general waste from bins allocated to residential and commercial properties.

General waste bin

Our general waste bins are green with a dark green lid and we are transitioning to bins that are green with a red lid.

What can go in the waste bin

General waste that can't go in your FOGO or recycling bins.

What can't go in the waste (or any other) bin

• medical waste
• electronic waste, including batteries
• household chemicals, oils, paints, solvents or other liquids
• syringes and needles
• hot ashes
• building or excavation materials, including timber.

Use our comprehensive A to Z recycling and waste guide to find out what can go in your household waste bin, and how to dispose of items that aren't accepted in bins.

Waste charges for ratepayers

Each property that pays rates pays a yearly waste charge. This covers our costs for providing waste services, including:

• Weekly FOGO and recycling collection
• Fortnightly general waste collection
• Weekly commercial waste collection
• Twice-yearly hard waste collection
• Twice-yearly bundled green waste collection
• Yearly Christmas tree collection
• Emptying rubbish bins in parks, shopping precincts and public spaces
• Operating the team that carries out these services
• Running the transfer station
• Transporting waste to landfill
• Disposal costs and levies at the landfill site.

Properties that only have a recycling bin (no general waste bin) are charged the minimum waste bin levy.

Residents in multi-unit developments with shared bins pay a waste charge depending on the number of bins at the property.

Residential properties that cancel their bin service, as well as commercial and residential properties with a private waste collection, are not exempt from this levy.

Bin collection

Collection times

Collections start from 5:00 am on main roads and 6:00 am for residential streets, in line with EPA guidelines.

Collections may start earlier on residential streets when we're aware of major works (like gas works or road resealing) that limit street access, but only as a last resort.

How to put your bin out

Put your bin out the night before your collection day, making sure it is:

• on the nature strip
• close to your driveway
• clear of all obstacles, such as trees, poles and parked cars
• facing the street with the bin handle toward your property.

See Find your bin day page.

Public holidays

Bins are collected as usual on all public holidays except Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday.

To find your alternative bin collection dates on Christmas Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday:

• look up your address on our Find your bin day page
• view our Changes to Council services on public holidays page.

Find out more

• Find out what happens to your waste, FOGO and recycling
• View your bin collection dates on our Find your bin day page
• Find out about Transitioning to new bin colours
• Learn how to use your recycling bin and your FOGO bin.