How to use your general waste bin

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.

Find waste charges on our Order a bin page.

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.