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Bins and Collections Services
General waste (landfill) bins and food and garden waste bins are collected weekly.
Recycling (yellow lid) bins are collected weekly, except for properties that are eligible for a food and garden waste service. These properties have a fortnightly recycling collection. If you have chosen to opt out of the food and garden waste service your recycling collection will remain fortnightly.
If your property has a lime green lid food and garden waste bin and a fortnightly recycling collection, please refer to the food and garden waste page for your collection calendar.
If there`s a problem with your bin, or your bin collection was missed for an unknown reason, you can report it online.
- Report a lost or damaged bin, or missed collection
- Track progress of a reported bin or collections issue
Missing, stolen or damaged bins will be repaired or replaced free of charge.
Before reporting a missed collection, please check the following:
- A sticker or tag may have been placed on your bin if it contained inappropriate material. The sticker or tag will have instructions on how to arrange another collection.
- Bins are emptied anytime between 6am and 4pm on your collection day. Please wait until after 4pm before reporting a missed collection.
- If you have a food and garden waste service you may be on a fortnightly recycling collection. Please check your collection calendar before reporting a missed collection.
To allow us to safely empty your bin, please ensure that your bin is taken out to the kerb with the lid closed by 6am on your bin collection day.
Please place bins 30 cm apart and at least 1 metre from power poles and street signs.
If you live in an apartment building, your building manager may oversee the collection of your bins.
Residents are entitled to an 80-litre or an 120-litre yellow lidded recycling bin, or larger equivalents for apartment buildings. You can upgrade your recycling bin to a 240 litre bin for free by submitting an online request.
What can go into the recycling bin- Hard/rigid plastic bottles and containers
- Paper and cardboard including clean pizza boxes (no waxed or greasy cardboard)
- Aluminium cans, foil (scrunch into a ball) and trays
- Steel cans
- Empty aerosol cans
- Glass bottles and jars (that have been containing food or drink)
Please put your recycling loose into the bin. Never put in plastic bags or tie up.
Ensure your bin lid is closed to prevent litter.
What can’t go into the recycling bin- Soft plastics (for example, food wrappers, plastic bags, chip packets). Please take these to a RedCycle drop off point for recycling.
- Cling wrap
- Bagged garbage or bagged recycling
- Long life milk or juice cartons
- Nappies or nappy wipes
- Expanded polystyrene and foam (including meat trays)
- Window glass, glassware, mirrors, Pyrex and crockery
- Food or garden waste
- Textiles and clothing
- Batteries and electronic waste
- Syringes
- Waxed cardboard
Refer to our A-Z guide to recycling and waste disposal for options to recycle/dispose of items which can`t go in your recycling bin.
All residents are entitled to a 120 litre landfill bin, or larger equivalents for apartment buildings. A 240 litre landfill bin is available in special circumstances and will usually incur an annual fee.
What can go into the general waste bin- General rubbish
- Nappies (wrapped or bagged)
- Food waste - only if you do not have a food and garden waste service
- Polystyrene and foam (including meat trays)
- Plastic bags and soft plastics. (If you can, please take these to a RedCycle drop-off point for recycling)
- Window glass, glassware, mirrors, Pyrex and crockery.
Any items that can be recycled in your yellow bin lid, in addition to:
- Garden waste – book a collection or take to the Citywide Transfer station
- Commercial quantities of food waste
- Building material including bricks, concrete and timber
- Liquid waste or ashes
- Chemicals, paints, oils and solvents
- Syringes
- Car parts or motor oil
- Batteries or other electronic waste - see E-waste
- Unwrapped vacuum dust and polystyrene beads.
Please refer to the food and garden waste page for:
- What can and cannot go into the food and garden waste bin
- How to obtain additional caddy liners
- Frequently asked questions about food and garden waste services.
If you are moving house, please leave your garbage and recycling bin at the property for the next resident to use. All garbage and recycling bins belong to the City of Melbourne and carry a unique identity number registered against each address.