Residential Kerbside Collection

How to get a new bin and collection guidelines.
Cleanaway Truck

How to get a bin

Residential properties will typically have two 240 litre bins, one for garbage and one for recyclables. Residents are responsible for keeping their bins in good condition and are to advise Council if repairs are required.

New properties will be required to apply for a waste and recycling service by filling out an application form. Register for a new residential bin here. Council will provide and retain ownership of the bins, which must always remain at the property. 

How to ensure your bin is picked up

  • Identify your bin pick-up day via the collection days schedule.
  • Place your bin out the night before your scheduled collection day. While Council and its contractor endeavour to maintain a consistent collection time, no guarantee is given that collection times will not change on the day. If your bin is not out for collection when the truck arrives, the truck will not return to collect a bin placed after collection.
  • In some instances, Council may need to ask residents to place their bins in specific locations for collection. This can be on the opposite side of the road from the property or in a specific location that trucks can access safely.
Do

Two bins side by side on a footpath in front of a fence.

  • Place your closed bin with the handle facing towards your property, so the lid opens facing the road.
  • Allow half a metre between bins and other objects – for example trees, lights and power poles and parked vehicles.
  • Bring your bin back to your property when emptied.
Don't
  • Overfill the bin. Any bags or extra waste sitting beside the kerbside bins won't be collected.
  • Put HARD WASTE in your bins. Examples of hard waste include old tools, lawn mowers, refrigerators, timber, stoves, washing machines and other similar appliances, mattresses, electrical appliances, computers and TVs and old furniture. You can take your hard waste to the Rokewood Resource Recovery Centre.
  • Overload your bin as it will not be collected if it is too heavy. Your bin should not exceed 70kgs in weight. A good indication of if your bin is too heavy, is if you cannot easily move or wheel your bin out for collection. A sticker will be placed on the bin if it was too heavy for collection.
  • Put any weight such as bricks on top of bin lids.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I'm a new resident to the Shire, how do I get bins?

Residential properties will typically have two 240 litre bins, one for garbage and one for recyclables. Residents are responsible for keeping their bins in good condition and may have to pay for replacement bins where a bin has been lost, stolen or damaged.

Register for a new residential bin here

A copy of the Occupancy Permit for any new dwelling must accompany the Application Form.

If the property is not sewered and has a Septic Tank System installed, a Certificate to Use the Septic Tank System must be obtained prior to any Occupancy Permit being granted. 

My bins didn't get picked up... What do I do?

There are four key reasons why your bin might not have been picked up:

  • It was not out on the correct pick-up day. You can check your bin pick-up day via the collection days schedule.
  • Your bin was too heavy (more than 70 kgs).
  • Items in your bin were jammed and could not be tipped into the truck. 
  • Your bin could not be accessed due to an obstruction or incorrect bin placement. 
  • Your bin was contaminated. You can learn about what goes into your bins by reviewing the Waste Sorting Guide
  • Your bin is non-compliant.
What can I put into my recycling bin?

YES  Green Tick

  • Empty rigid plastic containers
  • Empty plastic bottles
  • Empty plastic takeaway containers
  • Empty glass bottles and jars
  • Loose and dry paper and cardboard
  • Empty aerosols, steel and aluminium packaging, foil and foil tray

NO  Red Cross

Incorrect items put in the recycling bin are called ‘contamination’. Examples of contaminants include: 

  • Bagged material in any type of plastic bag
  • Long-life milk and other various liquid cartons
  • Soft plastic packaging 
  • Polystyrene packaging
  • Large plastic items and plastic toys
  • Metal pots and pans
  • Nappies
  • Clothing and footwear
  • Food scraps
  • Hazardous chemicals and electronic waste

Please see Council’s Waste Sorting Guide, which provides greater detail around what can and what cannot go in your recycling or garbage bin in Golden Plains Shire. 

What can I put in my garbage bin?

  YES  Green Tick

  • General household waste
  • Wrapped broken glass
  • Crockery and ceramics
  • Wrapped nappies
  • Polystyrene in bags 
  • Food scraps (if not composting at home)
  • Soft plastics

  NO  Red Cross

  • Liquid waste
  • Electronic waste
  • Chemicals
  • Large, heavy objects that can damage collection equipment
  • Car batteries
  • Light globes and tubes
  • Concrete, bricks, asbestos, excavation material or building rubble
  • Hazardous or medical waste 
  • Hot ashes
  • Recyclable material

Please see Council’s Waste Sorting Guide, which provides greater detail around what can and what cannot go in your recycling or garbage bin in Golden Plains Shire.

What happens to my garbage and recycling?

All garbage collected by the waste collection service is sent to Smythesdale and Wyndham Landfills by Cleanaway.

All recycled waste collected by the recycling service is taken to the Victoria Commingled Resource Recovery (VCRR) Transfer Station in South Geelong, and bulk hauled to VCRR Material Recovery Facility in Laverton.

How do I order or cancel an additional bin?

If you require an additional garbage or recycling bin, there is an additional rate for the second collection. You are allowed a maximum of one additional garbage and one additional recycling bin.

Please complete the Application for Waste and recycling service 2023/2024 to proceed with your order. 

To cancel a service, please contact Council’s Customer Experience team.

My bin was lost, damaged or stolen... What do I do?

To report a damaged, lost or stolen bin, please contact Council’s Customer Experience team to request for your bin to be repaired or replaced. 

If your lid has been damaged or you are missing a pin, please do not try to fix it. Contact Council’s Customer Service team to request for your lid to be replaced or repaired. 

Learn how you can contact Customer Service here.

I have a question about garbage or recycling... Who can I contact?

Please contact Council’s Customer Service team for all garbage and recycling enquiries. For details on how to contact Council, click here

Does Council collect hard waste?

Council does not collect hard waste. 

You can take your hard waste to any of the following waste transfer stations for a fee:

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