Business waste and recycling survey 2011
The City of Melbourne engaged Sweeney Research to undertake a waste and recycling survey in August 2011. Thank you to all businesses who participated in the survey.
The information collected in the survey will be used to estimate the total amount of waste being generated in City of Melbourne and to help us to make decisions about possible future waste management services. The details that are provided during the survey may also be used to update the City of Melbourne’s waste bin database.
Waste management
The waste your business generates must be disposed of properly. As a business owner or operator, you are responsible for arranging for this waste to be collected. Waste, including general garbage and recyclables, needs to be placed in appropriate bins or skips ready for collection.
You can also minimise your waste stream by choosing products that are recyclable. Or you can ask suppliers to reduce packaging on the products they supply. Alternatively, choose products that are made from recycled content; for example, office paper, furniture, toilet paper or carpet.
Arranging the right waste collection for your business
In some cases, waste collection may be arranged by the body corporate or the building manager. If this type of arrangement isn’t available you’ll need to arrange your own waste collection with a commercial garbage and recycling service provider.
The amount and type of waste produced by your business will determine the size and number of bins you need, and how often they should be collected.
Many businesses need a daily collection of waste, especially if there is a lot of food or other perishable garbage that can attract vermin and produce odour.
Other businesses may manage with a collection once or twice a week.
Please note: Waste and recyclable material must only be collected from your business on days and at times approved by the City of Melbourne. A fine of $2,000 applies. For more information visit new city waste laws.
City of Melbourne garbage and recycling services
All rateable properties in the City of Melbourne are entitled to a:
- garbage bin (80 litres or 120 litres)
- recycling bin (80 litres, 120 litres or 240 litres).
These are collected weekly. See Bins for more information.
This service is mainly designed for households but can also be convenient for businesses that generate limited amounts of garbage and recyclables.
You will be required to store the bins indoors.
For more information contact the City of Melbourne on (03) 9658 9658 or visit Household garbage and recycling.
Recyclables
You can put paper and cardboard, aluminium and steel cans, most plastic bottles, glass bottles and jars, and cartons in your council-provided recycling bin.
Fuel cans and bottles containing liquid should not be placed in recycling or general waste bins.
Cardboard
Council provides an afternoon cardboard collection service seven days a week in the central city area. Small businesses can put out half a cubic metre for collection.
Cardboard must be flattened, neatly bundled and tied, and only placed outside immediately before collection – never before 1pm.
The cardboard should be placed in the area where your garbage and recycling bins are serviced.
For more information about garbage and recycling services contact the City of Melbourne on (03) 9658 9658.
Other recycling services
If you are not eligible for the City of Melbourne recycling service you can arrange your own recycling collection service. Planet Ark provide a convenient website that allows you to search for a recycling company by type of material. Alternatively, you can look in the Yellow Pages.
For more information contact Planet Ark’s Business Recycling Hotline on 1300 763 768 or visit Planet Ark’s Business Recycling website. 
Glass bottles
If your business generates a lot of glass bottles, you can arrange a collection and recycling service specifically for glass and bottles.
A company called BottleCycler has developed a specially-designed bin and storage system for crushing bottles on your premises, reducing space required, noise pollution and health and safety risks.
The company supplies, installs and services the machine and collects the crushed glass for recycling.
For more information contact BottleCycler on 1300 306 039 or visit BottleCycler.