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                    A–Z guide to recycling and waste disposal

                    A pen and list on paper
                    A guide for how to recycle or dispose of various items, whether via a City of Melbourne kerbside bin or collection service, drop-off locations in the city, or through other service providers.

                    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The closest transfer station is the Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre at 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. 

                    Note: charges may apply to various items; please check with the facility.

                    Transfer station closure
                    Due to the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions the Dynon Road Transfer station is currently closed.

                    A

                    Aerosol cans

                    Place empty cans in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Adhesive strips (band aids)

                    Place in your landfill bin.

                    Aluminium cans

                    Refer to Cans for further information.

                    Aluminium foil

                    Scrape clean, scrunch in a ball and place in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Aluminium trays

                    Scrape clean, scrunch in a ball and place in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Anti-freeze

                    Refer to Chemicals for further information.

                    Asbestos 

                    See Asbestos in Victoria 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 shop.

                    Second-hand baby/children toys and clothes (up to 16 years old) can be donated to St Kilda mums

                    Balloons

                    Place in your landfill bin.

                    Baskets

                    Drop off at your local op shop.

                    Batteries (car)

                    Refer to the locations that accept car batteries for disposal on RecylingNearYou​.

                    Batteries (household)

                    Batteries are e-waste

                    City of Melbourne drop-off locations:

                    • Boyd Community Hub - 207 City Road Southbank 
                    • Citywide Resource Recovery Centre – 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne​
                    • East Melbourne Library - 22 George Street East Melbourne
                    • Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre – 251 Faraday Street, Carlton
                    • Kensington Town Hall – 30-34 Bellair Street, Kensington
                    • Library at The Dock – 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands
                    • North Melbourne Library - 66 Errol Street North Melbourne​

                    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 Humanity.

                    Brainwave Bikes 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 yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Blankets and bedding

                    These cannot be recycled. Place in your red lidded garbage bin. ​

                    Bottles (glass, plastic, metal)

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

                    Branches

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

                    Branches can also be dropped off at the Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 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 yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Car batteries

                    Refer to Batteries (car) for further information.

                    Car parts and bodies

                    Drop off at Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 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 yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Cartons (milk and juice)

                    Place in your landfill bin, or you can drop off at Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 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 shop.

                    CDs

                    Drop off at Officeworks stores, or donate to your local op shop.​

                    Ceramics (vases, pots, etc.)

                    Place in your landfill bin, or donate to your local op shop.

                    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 Home chemical collection

                    Chip packets

                    Refer to Soft plastics.

                    Chlorine

                    Drop off unwanted chemicals for free at a Detox Your Home chemical collection

                    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 Resource Recovery 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 landfill 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 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 Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

                    Crockery

                    Place in your landfill bin, or donate to your local op shop.

                    Cutlery (metal)

                    Place in your landfill bin, or donate to your local op shop.

                    Cutlery (plastic)

                    Place in your yellow lidded recycling 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 yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Deodorant cans, roll-ons, sprays 

                    Place empty cans and bottles in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Diabetic testing strip

                    Place in your landfill bin.

                    Dishwasher

                    Refer to Hard-waste for further information.

                    Disposable coffee cups

                    Remove lid and put lid in the recycling bin. Place cup in the landfill bin.

                    Dog faeces

                    Place in your landfill bin.

                    Door mat

                    Place in your landfill bin.

                    Dryer

                    Refer to Hard waste for further information.

                    DVDs

                    Place in your landfill bin, or donate to your local op shop

                    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:
                    • Boyd Community Hub - 207 City Road Southbank 
                    • Citywide Resource Recovery Centre – 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne
                    • East Melbourne Library - 22 George Street East Melbourne
                    • Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre – 251 Faraday Street, Carlton
                    • Kensington Town Hall – 30-34 Bellair Street, Kensington
                    • Library at The Dock – 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade, Docklands
                    • North Melbourne Library - 66 Errol Street North Melbourne

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

                    ​Other drop off locations for batteries only:

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

                    F

                    Fabric

                    Donate to your local op shop, or place in your landfill 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 collection.

                    Halogen and fluorescent lights can be disposed of at the Port Phillip Resource Recovery Centre.

                    Foam

                    Place in your landfill 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 green lidded food and garden organics 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.

                    Formula tins

                    Place in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Fridge / freezer

                    Refer to Hard waste for further information.

                    Frozen food bags

                    Refer to Soft plastics.

                    Fruit tree netting

                    Place in your landfill 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 Chemicals 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 green lidded food and garden organics 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/green waste pick-up 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 Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 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 landfill bin or refer to Hard waste for more information.

                    H

                    ​Hard waste 

                    Hard waste includes furniture, household items, 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 each year, of one cubic meter. Book a collection 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 Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 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 Chemicals for further information.

                    I

                    ​Ice cream containers

                    Empty and place in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Insect spray bottles and cans

                    Empty and place in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Iron

                    Refer to E-waste for further information.

                    J

                    ​Jars and lids

                    Place in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Juice boxes and containers (commonly known as TetraPak)

                    Place in your landfill 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 landfill 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 landfill bin.

                    Light globes

                    Drop off unwanted light globes for free at a Detox Your Home chemical collection.

                    Halogen and fluorescent lights can be disposed of at the Port Phillip Resource Recovery Centre.

                    Place in your landfill bin.​

                    Linen 

                    Check with your local vets to see if they accept donations

                    Lolly wrappers

                    Refer to Soft plastics.

                    M

                    ​Magazines

                    Place in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Mattresses

                    If your mattresses are in good condition please consider donating, giving away 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 Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 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 Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 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 landfill 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

                    Refer to Chemicals for further information.​

                    N

                    Nappies

                    Consider using re-usable nappies now readily available in stores and online. Visit the Diaper Recycle website to recycle disposable nappies and keep it out of landfill. Alternatively, place in your landfill bin.

                    Netting (fruit trees)

                    Place in your landfill 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 yellow lidded recycling 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 Chemicals for further information.

                    P

                    ​Paint and paint stripper

                    Dispose of paint at Paintback drop-off locations.

                    Drop off unwanted chemicals for free at a Detox Your Home chemical collection.

                    Paint tins

                    Dispose of paint tins at Paintback​ drop-off locations.

                    Empty paint tins can also be placed in your yellow-lidded recycling bin with lids off.​

                    Paper and cardboard 

                    Place in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Paper/cardboard can also be dropped off at the Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 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 yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Plasterboard

                    Drop off at Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 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 yellow lidded recycling 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 landfill bin.

                    Polystyrene

                    Place in your landfill bin, or go to Recycling Near You 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, giving away 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 Chemicals 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 Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 9261 5000. Open 9am to 3pm, 7 days a week, excluding Good Friday and Christmas Day. Charges may apply.

                    Shoes

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

                    Smoke detectors (household)

                    Can now be placed in your landfill bin.

                    Soft plastics

                    Soft plastic recycling is currently paused.
                    Regrettably soft plastics must go into your red lidded garbage bin. 

                    Solvents

                    Refer to Chemicals for further information.

                    Sporting equipment

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

                    Steel cans

                    Place in your yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Stoves

                    Refer to Hard waste for further information.

                    T

                    Tables

                    Refer to Hard waste for further information.

                    Tea bags

                    Place in your landfill bin.

                    Tetra Paks

                    Place in your landfill bin.

                    Timber

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

                    Tissues

                    Place in your landfill bin.

                    Toaster

                    Refer to E-waste for further information.

                    Tools

                    Refer to Hard waste for further information, or

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

                    Toothbrushes 

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

                    Transmission fluid

                    Refer to Chemicals for further information.

                    TV units

                    Refer to Hard waste for further information.

                    Tupperware

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

                    Tyres

                    Drop off at Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 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 landfill bin.

                    VHS / Cassette tapes

                    Place in your landfill bin, or if your items are in good condition please consider donating, giving away 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 landfill 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 Citywide Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre, 437 Dynon Road, West Melbourne. Phone 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 yellow lidded recycling bin.

                    Z

                    Zip lock bags 

                    Place in your landfill bin.

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