A to Z waste guide

Find out what to do with packaging and household items you no longer need.

This A-Z guide is for Banyule residents that have a household item that:

  • is old or broken
  • you no longer need or want
  • is in good condition and you want to rehome it or pass it on.

You can also use the guide to find ways to reuse, recycle or safely dispose of the item- including which bin to use.

Aerosol cans

Kerbside bin: Recycling, yellow lid

Aerosol cans must be placed in your recycling bin. Cans must be completely empty before placing.

Other options:

You can also take full or partially-full aerosol cans to a Detox Your Home event.

Aluminium cans

Kerbside bin: Recycling, yellow lid

Aluminium cans must be placed in your recycling bin.

Other options:

Most cans are eligible for the Container Deposit Scheme.

Aluminium foil and trays

Kerbside bin: Recycling, yellow lid

Foil must be placed in your recycling bin. Scrape clean, scrunch in a ball before placing.

Animal poo

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Animal poo must be bagged and placed in your rubbish bin.

Appliances (handheld and kitchen)

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

All small and handheld appliances must be take to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. Learn more about disposing of e-waste.

Other options:

Working appliances can be donated to an op shop.

Asbestos

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Asbestos cannot be placed in any bin.

Other options:

Visit Asbestos in Victoria for disposal options.

Ash

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Ash must be cold and bagged before placing into your rubbish bin. Never put hot ash in any bin.

Other options:

In small amounts only (about 1 shovel load per square meter), cooled ash can be mixed in with garden soil or compost. 

Avocado pips

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

Avocado pips must be placed in your FOGO bin.

Other options:

Avocado pips can also be placed in your home compost.

Baby clothes

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Baby clothes must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Baby clothes and items can be donated to 3081 Angels or most op shops.

Balloons

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Holiday decorations must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Barbecues

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Barbecues can be included in a hard waste collection.

Other options:

Barbecues can also be take to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal.

Batteries (household)

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Batteries must be disposed of at the Waste Recovery Centre. Learn more about disposing of e-waste.

Other options:

Batteries can also be disposed of at supermarkets.

Batteries (vehicle)

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Lead acid batteries for cars and light trucks can be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for free disposal.

Other options:

Some auto stores also offer lead acid battery recycling services for free.

Bicycle

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Bicycles can be included in a hard waste collection or taken to the Waste Recovery Centre.

Other options:

You can also donate bicycles to The Bike Hut in Malahang Reserve run by the Openhouse organisation.

Blister packs

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Blister packs must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

You can also take blister packs to most chemists that participate in the Pharmacycle program.

Branches

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

Small branches can be placed in your FOGO bin. Oversized green waste can be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre.

Other options:

Alternatively, consider booking a bundled brach collection.

Bricks

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Broken glass

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Broken glass of any kind must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Building rubble

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

All building materials and rubble must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. Fees apply.

Car seats (baby)

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Car seats for young children can be disposed of as part of a hard rubbish collection.

Other options:

Car seats can also be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal.

Cardboard

Kerbside bin: Recycling, yellow lid

Cardboard must be placed in your recycling bin. Excess amounts of cardboard can be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for free disposal.

Cardboard (waxed) and laminated paper

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Waxed cardboard and laminated paper must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Carpet

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Carpet can be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre or included in a hard waste collection.

CDs and DVDs

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

CDs, DVDs, tapes and cassettes can be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for free disposal.

Other options:

CDs, DVDs, tapes and cassettes can also be taken to Officeworks for disposal.

Ceramics

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Ceramics must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Ceramics can be donated to an op shop if in good condition.

Chemicals

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

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

Christmas trees (large)

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Large Christmas trees must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for free disposal.

Christmas trees (plastic)

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Small plastic trees must be placed in your rubbish bin. Larger ones can be included in a hard waste collection.

Other options:

Plastic Christmas trees can be donated to an op shop if in good condition.

Christmas trees (small)

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

Small Christmas trees can be cut up and placed in your FOGO bin.

Other options:

Small Christmas trees can also be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for free disposal.

Cigarette butts

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Cigarette butts must be placed in your rubbish bin. Be sure they are fully extinguished.

Clothes dryer

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Book a hard waste collection

Clothes hangers

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Metal, wooden and plastic clothes hangers must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Clothing

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Clothing must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Clothing can be donated to an op shop or taken to the Waste Recovery Centre clothing bin if in good condition.

Coffee cups and lids

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Takeaway coffee cups and lids must be placed in your rubbish bin, even cups labelled as compostable or biodegradable (as they are unable to be processed by our FOGO machinery).

Other options:

Compostable or biodegradable cups and lids can be placed in your home compost.

Coffee grounds

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

Loose coffee grounds must be placed in your FOGO bin.

Other options:

You can also mix loose coffee grounds into garden soil or compost.

Coffee pods

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Coffee pods must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Some manufacturers offer recycling options:

Compostable packaging

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Compostable packaging must be placed in your rubbish bin, even cups labelled as compostable or biodegradable (as it is unable to be processed by our FOGO machinery).

Other options:

You can place compostable packaging in your home compost.

Computers and cables

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

All computers and associated hardware must be take to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. Learn more about disposing of e-waste.

Other options:

Working computers can be donated or recycled at Computerbank Victoria.

Cooking oil

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Cooking oil must be placed in your rubbish bin. Pour oil into a sealable container first.

Corks

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Corks must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

You can take corks to Dan Murphy's for free disposal. There are a number of other locations that will accept cork as well.

Cosmetic packaging

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Cosmetic packaging must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

You can also recycle cosmetic packaging at:

Cutlery

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Plastic and bamboo cutlery (including chopsticks) must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Metal cutlery can be donated to an op shop if in good condition.

Dead animals (small)

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Dead rodents and birds must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Dirt

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Excess amounts of soil (including contaminated soil) can be taken to Wollert Landfill.

Other options:

Small amounts of uncontaminated soil can be mixed in with your garden or compost.

Door mat

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Door mats must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Fabric

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Fabric and yarn must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Fabric and yarn that is in good condition can be donated to an op shop.

Fire extinguishers

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Fluroecent tubes

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Fluorescent lights and tubes must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. Learn more about disposing of e-waste.

Other options:

Fluorescent lights can also be dropped off at our customer service centre recycling hubs.

Food scraps

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

All food scraps (including rotten or spoiled) must be placed in your FOGO bin.

Other options:

You can place most food scraps in a home composting system, such as a compost bin or worm farm or green cone. Meat can be placed in a Bokashi bucket.

Fruit and vegetables

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

All produce (including rotten or spoiled) must be placed in your FOGO bin.

Other options:

You can place produce in a home composting system, such as a compost bin, worm farm, Bokashi bucket or green cone.

Furniture

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Furniture can disposed of with a hard waste collection.

Other options:

Furniture in good condition can be resold on a secondhand marketplace or donated to an op shop.

Garden waste

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

Garden waste must be placed in your FOGO bin. Please do not put oversized items in, or your bin may not be collected. Remove all rubber bands or plastic from floral bouquets.

Other options:

You can also place moderate amounts of garden waste in your home compost.

Gas bottles

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Gas bottles must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. A small fee applies.

Glass bottles and jars

Kerbside bin: Recycling, yellow lid

Glass bottles and jars must be placed in your recycling bin. Leave metal lids on.

Glassware

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Glassware must be placed in your rubbish bin. If broken, please wrap glass before placing.

Grass clippings

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

Grass clippings must go in your FOGO bin.

Other options:

Grass clippings can also be added to your home compost.

Hair

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Pet and human hair must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Holiday decorations

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Holiday decorations must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Kitty litter

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Kitty litter must be placed in your rubbish bin, including compostable or biodegradable litter.

Other options:

Modest amounts of compostable and biodegradable kitty litter can be placed in your home compost.

Linen

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Linen must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Linen can be donated to an op shop or animal shelter if in good condition.

Mattresses

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Mattresses can be included in a mattress collection booking.

Other options:

Mattresses can also be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. A small fee applies.

Meat and bones

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

All meat and bones (including off or rancid) must be placed in your FOGO bin.

Other options:

You can place meat in a Bokashi bucket.

Medicines (unused)

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Unused medicine should be returned to a pharmacy for disposal.

Other options:

Medicine can also be placed in your rubbish bin.

Microwaves

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Book a hard waste collection

Mobile phones

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Mobile phones must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. Learn more about disposing of e-waste.

Other options:

You can also bring mobile phones to one of our customer service recycling hubs.

Motor oil

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Motor oil must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal (up to 20 litres).

Other options:

Supercheap Auto offers a free recycling service and accepts used motor oil.

Napkins

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Napkins can only be placed in your FOGO bin if they are unbleached and uncoloured. All other napkins must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Nappies

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Other options:

Use reusable nappies, and attend one of our workshops.

Office supplies

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

All office supplies (with the exception of paper and plain envelopes) must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Officeworks offers a recycling service for most office supplies.

Packing peanuts

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Packing peanuts must be placed in your rubbish bin. Bag them up before placing.

Padded envelopes and mailers

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Envelopes and mailers with plastic padding must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Officeworks offers a recycling service for most office supplies.

Paint

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Paint must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for free recycling (up to 20 litres).

Paper

Kerbside bin: Recycling, yellow lid

All paper items must be placed in your recycling bin. If any plastic is attached, please remove first and dispose of in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Paper items can also be take to the Waste Recovery Centre.

Paper towel

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

Small amounts of paper towel can be placed in your FOGO bin. Large quantities must go in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Paper towel can also be placed in your home compost.

Pillows and blankets

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Worn pillows and blankets must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Pillows and blankets in good condition can be donated to op shops and rescue shelters.

Pizza boxes

Kerbside bin: Recycling, yellow lid

Pizza boxes, including oily or cheesy ones, must be placed in your recycling bin.

Plant pots

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Plastic and ceramic plant pots must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Plants

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

Dead or live plants can be placed in your FOGO bin.

Other options:

Plants can also be added to your home compost.

Plastic bottles and containers

Kerbside bin: Recycling, yellow lid

Empty plastic bottles and containers

Other options:

Some plastic bottles are eligible for the container deposit scheme.

Plastic strapping

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Plastic strapping tape and rope must be placed in your rubbish bin. Bag up strapping before placing.

Plastics (hard and large)

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Large hard plastic items must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre. A small fee applies.

Plastics (soft)

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Soft plastics must be placed in your rubbish bin. Soft plastics recycling is currently paused in Australia.

Polystyrene

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Polystyrene must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Polystyrene can be recycled at various drop-off points across Melbourne.

Pots and pans

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Pots, pans and utensils must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Items in good condition can be donated to an op shop.

Printer cartridges

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Printer cartridges can be taken to Officeworks for recycling.

Razors

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Razors must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Receipts

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Receipts must go in your rubbish bin.

Refrigerators and freezers

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Refrigerators must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. They cannot be included in a hard waste booking.

Reusable plastic containers

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Worn out reusable containers much be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Containers in good condition can be donated to an op shop.

Rubber gloves

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Rubber gloves must go in your rubbish bin.

Sanitary items

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Sanitary items must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Seafood shells

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

Oyster, prawn and other seafood shells must be placed in your FOGO bin.

Other options:

Shells can also be placed in your home compost.

Shoes

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Worn out shoes must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Shoes in good condition can be donated to an op shop or donated to the Tread Lightly program.

Shredded paper

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Shredded paper must be bagged before placing in rubbish bin.

Other options:

Shredded paper packed into a paper envelope can be placed into your recycling bin or taken to the Waste Recovery Centre.

Smoke detectors

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Smoke detectors must be take to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. Learn more about disposing of e-waste.

Solar panels

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Solar panels must be returned to your supplier for disposal. They cannot be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre and cannot be included in a hard waste collection.

Steel

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Steel and large amounts of scrap metal must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal.

Steel cans

Kerbside bin: Recycling, yellow lid

Steel cans must be placed in your recycling bin.

Stereos and speakers

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Stereos and all related components must be take to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. Learn more about disposing of e-waste.

Other options:

Working stereos in good condition can be donated to an op shop.

String lights

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Electric string lights must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. Learn more about disposing of e-waste.

Syringes

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Sharps can be dropped off at our Greensborough customer service centre if packaged up in a sharps disposal container. Loose sharps will not be accepted.

Tea (loose leaf)

Kerbside bin: FOGO, green lid

Loose tea must be placed in your FOGO bin.

Other options:

Loose tea can also be added to your home compost or mixed in with garden soil.

Tea bags

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Tea bags must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Most tea bags can also be placed in your home compost.

Televisions and remote controls

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Televisions and remote controls must be take to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. Learn more about disposing of e-waste.

Other options:

Working computers can be donated or recycled at Computerbank Victoria.

Tetra containers

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Liquid paper cartons must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Some containers are eligible for the container deposit scheme.

Timber and pallets

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Large pieces of wood and wooden pallets must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal.

Tissues

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Tissues must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Biodegradable tissues can be placed in your home compost.

Toothbrushes

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

All toothbrushes must be placed in your rubbish bin. Electric toothbrushes must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal.

Other options:

Compostable and biodegradable brushes can be added to your home compost.

Toothpaste tubes

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Most toothpaste tubes must be placed in your rubbish bin. Tubes made from number 2 plastic can be placed in your recycling bin.

Toys

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Broken toys must be placed in your rubbish bin.

Other options:

Toys in good condition can be donated to an op shop, 3081 Angels at Banyule Community Health or the Banyule Toy Library.

Tree netting

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Tree netting must be placed in your rubbish bin. Roll up tightly before placing.

Tyres

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Tyres must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. A small fee applies.

Vacuum dust

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

Vacuum dust should be bagged and placed in your rubbish bin.

Vapes

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Take to the Waste Recovery Centre

Wet wipes

Kerbside bin: Rubbish, red lid

All wet wipes including compostable and biodegradable wipes.

Whitegoods

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

Large whitegoods must be take to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal. Washing machines, dryers, ovens and microwaves can be included in a hard waste collection.

Wrapping paper

Kerbside bin: Recycling, yellow lid

Most wrapping paper must be placed in your recycling bin. Paper that has glitter or plastic must be placed in your rubbish bin.

X-rays

Kerbside bin: None, do not bin

X-rays must be taken to the Waste Recovery Centre for disposal.

Other options:

X-rays can also be taken to our customer service recycling hubs.

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Contact us

If you need more information about our waste services, please contact Customer Service on 9490 4222 or enquiries@banyule.vic.gov.au