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A–Z guide to recycling and waste disposal

Find ways to recycle or dispose of common items using City of Melbourne kerbside bins or collection services, drop-off locations in the city, or through other service providers.

An arm dropping a bag of organic waste into a green lid wheelie bin
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A

Aerosol cans

Place empty cans in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Adhesive strips (band aids)

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Aluminium cans

Refer to Cans for further information.

Aluminium foil

Scrape clean, scrunch in a ball and place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Aluminium trays

Scrape clean, scrunch in a ball and place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Anti-freeze

Refer to ChemicalsOpens in new tab for further information.

Asbestos 

See Asbestos in VictoriaOpens in new tab to find out about the correct way to dispose of asbestos.

Australia Post satchels (soft plastic)

Refer to Soft plastics.

B

​Baby items

Drop off at your local local op shopOpens in new tab.

Second-hand baby/children toys and clothes (up to 16 years old) can be donated to St Kilda mumsOpens in new tab.

Balloons

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Baskets

Drop off at your local op shopOpens in new tab.

Batteries (car)

Refer to the locations that accept car batteries for disposal on RecylingNearYouOpens in new tab​.

Batteries (household)

Batteries are e-waste.

City of Melbourne drop-off locations:

Other drop off locations:

  • Aldi – 501 Swanston Street, Melbourne
  • Aldi – 100 Market Street, South Melbourne 
  • Aldi – 315-325 Victoria Street, Abbotsford

Bicycles

Donate your bicycle to Bicycles for HumanityOpens in new tab.

Brainwave BikesOpens in new tab is a Melbourne-based social enterprise to donate, reuse and recycle bikes while providing employment and traineeships to people with a disability, and raising money for Brainwave Australia.

Biscuit trays

Place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Blankets and bedding

These cannot be recycled. Place in your general waste (red lid) bin. ​

Blister packs (medicinal)

PharmacycleOpens in new tab provides an end to end recycling program for household and commercial medicinal blister pack waste. Pharmacycle is a voluntary recycling program, funded by participating pharmacies, industry sponsors and government organisations. Locations can be found on their websiteOpens in new tab.

Bottles (glass, plastic, metal)

Place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin. Note, please squeeze air out of plastic bottles and replace the lid.

Branches

City of Melbourne residents can use the garden waste collection service. Residents are entitled to a free garden waste pick-up service once a month. Note, a maximum of 2 cubic meters per household is allowed. BookingsOpens in new tab are essential and must be made by Thursday before the relevant collection weekend.

Branches can also be dropped off at Dynon Road Waste and Recycling CentreOpens in new tab, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

Bread bags

Refer to Soft plastics.

Bubble wrap

Refer to Soft plastics.

C

Cables (computer, charging, electronic)

Refer to E-waste ​for further information.​​

Cameras

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Cans (steel, aluminium)

Place empty cans in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Car batteries

Refer to Batteries (car) for further information.

Car parts and bodies

Drop off at Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

Cardboard 

Flatten boxes and place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Cartons (milk and juice)

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin. Alternatively, you can drop off at Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Free drop-off for residents with proof of address.

Carpet 

Refer to hard waste for further information.

Cassette tapes

Drop off at Officeworks stores or donate to your local op shopOpens in new tab.

CDs

Drop off at Officeworks stores or donate to your local op shopOpens in new tab.​

Ceramics (vases, pots, etc)

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or donate to your local op shopOpens in new tab.

Cellophane

Refer to Soft plastics.

Cereal box insert

Refer to Soft plastics.

Chargers

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Chemicals

Drop off unwanted chemicals for free at a Detox Your HomeOpens in new tab collection.

Chip packets

Refer to Soft plastics.

Chlorine

Drop off unwanted chemicals for free at a Detox Your Home chemical collectionOpens in new tab

Christmas tree disposal

Residential apartments with shared bins:

  • A bulk pick up can be organised by your building manager. Bookings​ are required.
  • The tree can be left whole.  
  • Please don’t put the whole tree in the garbage bin, as this may prevent it from being emptied.

Houses and residential properties with individual bins:

  • Pick up can be arranged via the free monthly garden waste collection service. The tree can be left whole. Bookings are required. 

Free drop off at the Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre: 

  • Residents must produce either a current City of Melbourne rates notice, driver's licence or utility bill for a free drop off.​

Cigarette butts

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Cling wrap 

Refer to Soft plastics.

Clothing and shoes

​If you have clothing or shoes in good condition, please consider donating, giving away or selling your items via the following websites:

Coffee cups and lids (single use)

7/11Opens in new tab stores nationwide have partnered with Simply CupsOpens in new tab to recycle all brands of single use coffee cups and lids. Locations can be found on their website​.Opens in new tab​

Coffee pods / capsules

Coffee pods or capsules can’t go in the recycling bin due to the coffee that is inside the pod, which prevents the metal from being sorted correctly.

Some manufacturers and provider offer recycling options:

Coffee machines

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Computers and accessories

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Cooking oil

Drop off at Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

Crockery

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or donate to your local op shopOpens in new tab.

Cutlery (metal)

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or donate to your local op shopOpens in new tab.

Cutlery (plastic)

Place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Cupboards

Refer to hard waste for further information, or donate to your local op shop.

D

Detergent bottles (plastic) 

Place empty bottles in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Deodorant cans, roll-ons, sprays 

Place empty cans and bottles in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Diabetic testing strip

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Dishwasher

Refer to Hard-waste for further information.

Disposable coffee cups

Remove lid and put lid in the recycling (yellow lid) bin. Place cup in the general waste (red lid) bin.

Dog faeces

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Door mat

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Dryer

Refer to Hard waste for further information.

DVDs

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or donate to your local op shopOpens in new tab.  

DVD player 

Refer to E-waste for further information.

E

E-waste (electrical or electronic waste)

Anything with a plug, cord or battery is considered e-waste. 

Small e-waste items​ that can fit into a 240 L household bin are accepted at the following City of Melbourne drop-off locations:

For larger e-waste items, residents (ratepayers) are entitled to one free hard waste collection each year, of one cubic meter. Book a collection.

If you live in a high rise building, please contact your building manager and they will organise a collection on your behalf.

​Other drop off locations for batteries only:

  • Aldi – 501 Swanston Street, Melbourne
  • Aldi – 100 Market Street, South Melbourne 
  • Aldi – 315-325 Victoria Street, Abbotsford.

Engine oil

Refer to Motor​ oil for further information.​

F

Fabric

Donate to your local op shopOpens in new tab or place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Fire extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers require specialised disposal from a licenced operator. Please contact Cleanaway Laverton Technical Waste Services at 03 9371 8500 to organise a drop-off.

Please note disposal fees come at the cost of the customer.​​​​

Fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent light globes (CFLs)

Drop off unwanted light globes and tubes for free at a Detox Your Home chemical collectionOpens in new tab.

Halogen and fluorescent lights can be disposed of at the Port Phillip Resource Recovery CentreOpens in new tab.

Foam

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or refer to Hard waste for further information.

Food pouches

Refer to Soft plastics.

Food scraps 

Food scraps and waste can be placed into your food and garden organics (lime-green lid) bin (where provided). This includes:

  • fruit and vegetable scraps (including citrus, onion, garlic, herbs, spices)
  • bread, rice and pasta
  • leftover food scraps
  • spoiled or rotten food 
  • solid dairy products (butter, cheese)
  • meat, fish and bones
  • soft shell seafood (prawns, shrimps, crayfish, lobster)
  • loose coffee grounds 
  • loose tea leaves 
  • eggshells
  • jelly​

Residents can also choose to turn ​your food scraps into compost: purchase a discounted compost bin, worm farm and bokashi bucket through Compost Revolution.Opens in new tab

Formula tins

Place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Fridge / freezer

Refer to Hard waste for further information.

Frozen food bags

Refer to Soft plastics.

Fruit tree netting

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin. Old netting, when discarded, can still be an entanglement risk. If you plan to dispose of old netting to landfill it is recommended that you place it into a strong biodegradable bag first.

Fuels

Refer to ChemicalsOpens in new tab for further information.

Furniture

Refer to Hard waste for further information.

G

Garden waste

Small garden and green waste items can be placed into your food and garden organics (lime-green lid) bin (where provided). This includes:

  • garden cuttings (twigs, branches - cut to fit neatly in the bin) 
  • weeds
  • grass cuttings and leaves
  • cut flowers
  • straw and hay

Tip: Please keep garden waste loose, not bagged​

Additionally, residents are entitled to a free garden waste collection service (once a month). Note, a maximum of two cubic meters per household is allowed. Bookings are essential and must be made by Thursday before the relevant collection weekend. 

Garden waste can also be dropped off at Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Free drop off for residents with proof of address.

Gas cylinders and bottles

Return gas cylinders and bottles to a swap-and-go location.

Nitrous Oxide canisters require collection and disposal from a licenced operator. Please contact Cleanaway Laverton Technical Waste Services at 03 9371 8500 or Envirostore Chemical Consulting at 03 9308 6636 to organise a collection.

Please note, any collection and disposal fees come at the cost of resident or building management.​

Glass bottles and jars

Empty and place in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

Glass windows, cups, mirrors and table tops

Glass must be securely wrapped. 

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or refer to Hard waste for more information.

H

Hard waste 

Hard waste includes furniture, household items and large e-waste (white goods).

If your items are in good condition please consider donating, giving away or selling your items.  You can donate or sell your items on the following websites:

Residents (ratepayers) are entitled to one free hard waste collection of one cubic metre each year. Book a collectionOpens in new tab or find out more about the hard waste collection service.

If you live in a high rise building, please contact your building manager and they will organise a collection on your behalf.

Hard waste can also be disposed of at Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

Hair dryers or straighteners

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Household Chemicals

Refer to ChemicalsOpens in new tab for further information.

I

Ice cream containers

Empty and place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Insect spray bottles and cans

Empty and place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Iron 

Refer to E-waste for further information.

J

Jars and lids

Place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Juice boxes and containers (commonly known as TetraPak)

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

K

Kettles

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Keyboards

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Kitchenware

​If you have kitchenware (saucepans, crockery and cutlery) in good condition, please consider donating, giving away or selling your items via the following websites:

Kitty litter 

Wrap in a plastic bag and place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

L

Laptops 

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Laminated paper

This can't be recycled due to the plastic coating on the paper. Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Light globes

Drop off unwanted light globes for free at a Detox Your Home chemical collectionOpens in new tab.

Halogen and fluorescent lights can be disposed of at the Port Phillip Resource Recovery CentreOpens in new tab.

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.​

Linen 

Check with your local vets to see if they accept donations.

Lolly wrappers

Refer to Soft plastics.

M

Magazines

Place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Mattresses

If your mattresses are in good condition, please consider donating or selling them. You can donate or sell on the following websites:

See Hard waste for further options.

You can also drop off mattresses at Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

Other mattress collection/recycling options:

Medicines

Drop off unwanted medicines at your local pharmacy.

Metal scraps

Drop off at the Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Free drop off for residents with proof of address.

Microwaves

Refer to E-waste​ for further information.

Mirrors

Glass must be securely wrapped. Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or refer to Hard waste for other options.

Mobile phones

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Monitors (computer)

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Motor oil

Supercheap Auto offers a free recycling service and accepts used motor oil at 229 stores across Australia. Locations can be found on their website.​Opens in new tab

N

Nappies

Consider using re-usable nappies now readily available in stores and online. Visit the Diaper RecycleOpens in new tab website to recycle disposable nappies and keep it out of landfill. Alternatively, place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Netting (fruit trees)

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin. Old netting, when discarded, can still be an entanglement risk. If you plan to dispose of old netting to landfill it is recommended that you place it into a strong biodegradable bag first.

Netting produce bags (any metal clips removed)

Refer to soft plastics.

Newspapers​

Place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Nitrous Oxide Canisters​

Nitrous Oxide canisters require collection and disposal from a licenced operator. Please contact Cleanaway Laverton Technical Waste Services at 03 9371 8500 or Envirostore Chemical Consulting at 03 9308 6636 to organise a collection.

Please note, any collection and disposal fees come at the cost of resident or building management.​

O

Oils - cooking

Refer to Cooking oils for further information.

Oils – motor

Refer to Motor oil for further information.

Oven

Refer to E-waste ​for further information.

Oven cleaner

Refer to ChemicalsOpens in new tab for further information.

P

Paint and paint stripper

Dispose of paint at PaintbackOpens in new tab drop-off locations.

Drop off unwanted chemicals for free at a Detox Your Home chemical collectionOpens in new tab.

Paint tins

Dispose of paint tins at Paintback​Opens in new tab drop-off locations.

Empty paint tins can also be placed in your recycling (yellow lid) bin with lids off.​

Paper and cardboard 

Place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Paper/cardboard can also be dropped off at the Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Free drop off for residents with proof of address.

Pens and markers

Drop off at Officeworks stores.

Pet food bags

Refer to soft plastics.

Plant pots

Place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Plasterboard

Drop off at Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

Plastic bags

Refer to Soft plastics.​

Plastic containers and bottles

Place all rigid plastic containers and bottles in your recycling (yellow lid) bin. Plastic type 1, 2 and 5 are accepted.

Plastic film

Refer to Soft plastics.

Plastic sachets

Refer to Soft plastics.

Plastic strapping, packing tape

Put in a bag and place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Polystyrene

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or go to Recycling Near YouOpens in new tab for more options.

Potting mix bags

Refer to Soft plastics.

Power tools

Refer to E-waste.

Printer cartridges

Drop off at Officeworks stores.

Prunings

Refer to Garden waste.

Pyrex

Place in your landfill bin or if your items are in good condition please consider donating or selling them. You can donate or sell your items on the following websites:

R

Radios

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Rat poison 

Refer to ChemicalsOpens in new tab for further information.

Refrigerators 

Refer to E-waste​ for further information.

Remote control

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Reusable shopping bags

Refer to Soft plastics.​

S

Scrap metal

Drop off at Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

Shoes

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or if the shoes are in a good condition please consider donating or selling them. You can donate or sell your items on the following websites:

Smoke detectors (household)

Can now be placed in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Soft plastics

Soft plastic recycling is currently paused. Regrettably soft plastics must go into your general waste (red lid) bin. 

Solvents

Refer to ChemicalsOpens in new tab for further information.

Sporting equipment

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or if your items are in good condition please consider donating or selling them. You can donate or sell your items on the following websites:

Steel cans

Place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Stoves

Refer to Hard waste for further information.

T

Tables

Refer to Hard waste for further information.

Tea bags

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Tetra Paks

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Timber

Refer to Hard waste for further information or you can drop off at the Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

Tissues

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Toaster

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Tools

Refer to Hard waste for further information or drop off at Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

Toothbrushes 

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Toothbrushes (electric)

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Towels

Check with your local vets to see if they accept donations.

Toys (no batteries)

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or if your items are in good condition please consider donating or selling them. You can donate or sell your items on the following websites:

Toys (with plug, cord or battery)

Refer to E-waste for further information nor if your items are in good condition please consider donating or selling them. You can donate or sell your items on the following websites:

Transmission fluid

Refer to ChemicalsOpens in new tab for further information.

TV units

Refer to Hard waste for further information.

Tupperware

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or if your items are in good condition please consider donating or selling them. You can donate or sell your items on the following websites:

Tyres

Drop off at the Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

V

Vacuum cleaners 

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Vacuum cleaner dust

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

VHS / Cassette tapes

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin or if your items are in good condition please consider donating or selling them. You can donate or sell your items on the following websites:

W

Wardrobes

Refer to Hard waste for further information.

Watches

Refer to E-waste for further information.

Washing machines

Refer to E-waste ​for further information.

Waxed cardboard

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Whitegoods

Refer to E-waste ​for further information.​

Window glass

Refer to Glass windows, cups, mirrors and table tops for further information.

Wood pallets

Refer to Hard waste for further information or you can take them to the Dynon Road Waste and Recycling Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 03 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

X

X-r​ays

You can post your old x-rays to:

Siltech PMR
X-Ray Recycling
7/220 Barry Road
Campbellfield VIC 3061

Xmas t​rees​

See Christmas trees.

Y

Yoghurt containers

Place in your recycling (yellow lid) bin.

Z

Zip lock bags 

Place in your general waste (red lid) bin.

Waste and recycling

our acknowledgement

  • Torres Strait Islander Flag
  • Aboriginal People Flag

The City of Melbourne respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land we govern, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong / Boon Wurrung peoples of the Kulin and pays respect to their Elders past and present. 

 

We acknowledge and honour the unbroken spiritual, cultural and political connection they have maintained to this unique place for more than 2000 generations.

We accept the invitation in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and are committed to walking together to build a better future.