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                    Garbage compactors and recycling hubs

                    Garbage compactor
                    City of Melbourne has five garbage compactors and numerous recycling hubs throughout the central city area.

                    ​​​​​​These facilities help to improve commercial waste management and recycling whilst minimising amenity issues in central city. We also operate a recycling facility in Degraves Street.

                    Businesses need to contact the Waste Standards Team to gain access to these facilities. Fees apply for most businesses, as detailed below or see the customer fact sheet for further information.

                    Garbage compactor access fee - FAQs

                    Do I have to pay to use the garbage compactor?

                    Residents: No, you do not need to pay to use the garbage compactor.

                    Small businesses with less than 120 litres of garbage per week: No, you do not need to pay to use the garbage compactor.

                    All other businesses: Yes, you need to pay to use the garbage compactor.

                    How much is the garbage compactor access fee?

                    ​The garbage compactor access fee will be charged on the basis of low, medium and high usage levels depending on how often the garbage compactor is used. The details of the usage levels and fees per quarter (three month period) are shown in the table below.

                    ​Usage level
                    ​Fee per quarter
                    (incl GST)
                    ​Average frequency of use
                    ​Low​$225​Up to six times per week
                    ​Medium​$900​Up to three times per day
                    ​High​$1800​Up to seven times per day

                    Why do I have to pay a fee to access the garbage compactors?

                    Each compactor costs around $150,000 to operate annually. Having a fee-paying model enables us to expand the service and ensure the sustainability of innovative waste services and their continued operation for the long-term.


                    How will the fee be charged?

                    The fee will be charged quarterly and due one week prior to the start of each quarter. A notification will be sent approximately two weeks prior to the payment due date to remind you of the upcoming payment.

                    Failure to pay the quarterly fee by the due date may result in access to the garbage compactor being revoked and the access card de-activated.

                    Who decides that my usage level will be and therefore, how much I will pay?

                    Each business will have their usage level assessed by City of Melbourne based on their current waste management practices. This will set the usage level for the first quarterly fee payment.

                    Usage levels will be reviewed regularly. The garbage compactor automatically tracks the number of times each access card is used, which will allow City of Melbourne to decide whether the usage level should be changed.

                    Any resulting change to the usage level fee will be applied to the next quarterly payment.

                    Refunds and pro-rata payments

                    Payments are required to be made prior to the quarterly payment due date.

                    Businesses that register for the program in the first month of each quarter will be required to pay for the entire quarter. Businesses that register in the second or third month of each quarter will only be billed for part of the quarter. 

                    Payments are non-refundable. Requests for refunds will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.

                    What are the benefits for businesses that use the garbage compactor?

                    Businesses that use the garbage compactor avoid the need for a separate garbage collection, which means that less space is needed inside the premises for storing garbage bins in between collections.

                    Businesses can also access the free recycling hubs to reduce the amount of material that they are sending to landfill.

                    Participating businesses can access a range of promotional opportunities through the City of Melbourne’s GreenMoney sustainable rewards program. To find out more, please contact us on 03 9658 9658.

                    Why don’t some businesses and residents have to pay?

                    Each rateable property is entitled to a 120 litre garbage bin and 120 litre or 240 litre recycling bin collected weekly if this meets their waste collection needs. Businesses and residents who would otherwise use this service are not required to pay to use the garbage compactor. Eligibility can be assessed by City of Melbourne.

                    Do I have to use the garbage compactors and recycling hubs?

                    You do not have to use the garbage compactors and recycling hubs. If you wish to make your own arrangements for your garbage and/or recycling you are welcome to do so.

                    Under the City of Melbourne’s Activities Local Law, waste containers can only be placed in or on a public place for collection and must be brought inside within three hours after collection unless the bin is within an area prescribed by the Council for the storage of waste containers. For further information please refer to the Activities Local Law 2009 or contact us on 9658 9658.

                    Can I have an extra access card for my business?

                    Businesses on the 'high' usage level payment may be provided an extra access card from City of Melbourne in some circumstances. Other businesses and residents receive a single access card.

                    What happens if I lose my access card?

                    Contact us immediately to arrange for your card to be cancelled and for a replacement card to be provided.

                    Are there restrictions on use of the garbage compactor access card?

                    The access card must only be used by the business or household that it has been provided to by the City of Melbourne.

                    Cards remain the property of City of Melbourne and must be returned if no longer required.

                    How will you manage illegal dumping?

                    The garbage compactor and recycling hub laneways and those in surrounding areas will be monitored on a regular basis.

                    Illegally dumping rubbish or recyclable materials is an offence and penalties apply.

                    Where can I get more information?

                    Contact us on 03 9658 9658 or visit Waste and recycling.

                    ​Garbage compactor locations

                    The garbage compactors take non-recyclable materials to landfill. The machine compresses the garbage so that a lot more can fit in compared to normal garbage bins. The compactors are located at:

                    • Bullens Lane in Chinatown
                    • Kirks Lane near Hardware Lane
                    • Lacey Place in Chinatown
                    • Caledonian Lane off Little Bourke Street
                    • Balcombe Place – off Little Collins Street.

                    Compactors can be accessed at any time, using an access card and following the directions on the machine.

                    Recycling hub locations

                    Cardboard and commingle recycling bins are located in recycling hubs which can be accessed at any time.  Recycling waste bins help to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and improve amenity issues in busy central city locations.

                    Items that can be recycled include paper, cardboard, glass, aluminium, plastic bottles and containers.

                    The recycling hubs are located at:

                    • Market Lane in Chinatown
                    • Brien Lane in Chinatown
                    • Coverlid Place in Chinatown
                    • Bullens Lane in Chinatown
                    • Masons Lane off Little Collins Street
                    • Carson Place off Little Collins Street
                    • Caledonian Lane off Little Bourke Street
                    • Albion Alley off Little Bourke Street
                    • Kirks Lane off Little Bourke Street
                    • Warburton Lane off Little Bourke Street
                    • Hardware Lane off Lonsdale Street
                    • Globe Alley in Chinatown
                    • Flinders Court off Flinders Lane
                    • Sniders Lane off Lonsdale Street.

                    Access fees

                    ​Usage level
                    ​Fee per quarter (including GST)
                    ​Maximum frequency of use
                    ​Low
                    ​$426.40
                    ​Up to seven times per week
                    ​Medium
                    ​$1583.60
                    ​Up to three times per day
                    ​High
                    ​$2523.30
                    ​Up to seven times per day
                    ​Very high
                    ​$3440.30
                    More than seven times per day or
                    over 1000 kg deposited weekly

                    Additional fees

                    • Replacement compactor access card: $64.30
                    • Reactivation​ payment fee: $105.40

                    Payment of garbage compactor account reactivation​ fees, as well as the collection and payment of new or replacement access cards will be from Melbourne Town Hall.

                    Customers will need to book an appointment via live chat or by calling 9658 9658.

                    Access and additional fee pricing may be adjusted.​

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                    Garbage compactor locations
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                    ​Reporting issues and application requests

                    Use the online form below ​​for application requests, replacement cards and to report any issues such as overflowing bins, leaking, noise or malfunctioning compactors.

                    If there is any danger to the public or public space, please call us immediately on 03 9658 9658.
                    Track the progress of an existing reported issue.
                    Enter report reference number:
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                    Our shared garbage compactors and recycling hubs are one of a number of waste management initiatives that aims to improve the look and feel of the central city. See how this project has helped businesses in Melbourne’s central city.
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