Recycling

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We have welcomed the recent State Government announcement regarding planned improvements to the management of waste and recycling in Victoria.

Darebin Council knows our community feels as strongly about recycling as we do. That’s why we have been advocating for an overhaul of Victoria’s recycling system for two years.

We have welcomed the recent State Government announcement regarding planned improvements to the management of waste and recycling in Victoria.

In February the State Government announced a container deposit scheme to be introduced in 2023 and a four-bin system to be incrementally introduced over the next seven years.

Some Darebin residents have asked, what does this mean for us?

In September last year Darebin was one of the first councils able to restore recycling when the system collapsed and we are fortunate now to have a long-term contract with Visy, the state’s most reputable recycling provider.

This has saved 7,000 tonnes of recyclables that otherwise would have gone to landfill in the last six months.

Thanks to this contract, Darebin residents can be confident that all glass, hard plastics, paper, cardboard and metal recycled in our your yellow-lidded bins are being turned into valuable products. Some if it may even end up in our new local roads as new resurfacing in our streets.

We have also introduced a food waste collection service using our green bins. This takes food waste out of landfill, which is the most significant thing we can do to cut emissions from the waste stream.

As further details of the State Government’s four-bin rollout plan are provided, Council will work together with the community to gather feedback on bin size and collection frequency.

In the meantime, all Darebin residents can recycle all glass, hard plastics, paper, cardboard and metal in our yellow-lidded bins and food and garden waste in our green-lidded bins, knowing we are helping reduce landfill, greenhouse emissions and contributing to a sustainable healthy future for our planet.

We’re pleased to announce that from Friday, September 6, Darebin Council’s recycling service will be restored, meaning all the materials collected will be diverted away from landfill.

Your bin collection days will remain the same.

After weeks of negotiations, Council has this afternoon secured a recycling service contract with VISY, following the collapse of our previous provider SKM as a result of the statewide recycling crisis.

The deal is the culmination of months of hard work to secure the limited remaining capacity for recycling in Victoria. This new contract with VISY will run for four years.

Until the deal was reached, Council could not provide further detail around these confidential contract negotiations due to legal reasons.

We acknowledge the role of the State Government in acting quickly to help Darebin cut through red tape to secure VISY as its new provider.

We remain extremely thankful for your patience, and the community’s willingness to work together to reduce our recycling waste where possible.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Recycling.

 

Who is Darebin’s recycling processor?

Darebin City Council has entered into a four year contract with recycling processor, VISY, to accept and process the council’s kerbside recycling collections.

 

Will there be any changes to the collection of my recycling bin?

No, there will not be any changes to the collection of your household recycling bin. Recycling bins are collected on a fortnightly basis.

 

When is my bin collected?

To see when your bin is collected, please view the map here.

 

Will this affect waste taken to the Resource Recovery Centre?

There will be no impact on waste taken to the Resource Recovery Centre. Residents can continue to take their clean and sorted households recycling to the Resource Recovery Centre. Please ensure you are dropping off recyclables in small, household quantities and that the items are separated into glass, paper and cardboards, plastic and metals. Most of these can be dropped off without a fee, however, if materials are contaminated or mixed in together, a fee may be charged.

 

I have been holding on to my recycling. Will there be extra recycling collections?

We understand that the recyclables you have stored might exceed a standard fortnightly collection amount, however there will not be an extra collection. We’re thankful for your patience.

What is Darebin doing in terms of advocacy for a long-term solution to the recycling crisis?
We are advocating to State and Federal Governments to come up with more sustainable long-term solutions for processing recycling locally, and we will update the community on how residents can get involved soon.

How can I reduce my overall waste?

Be mindful about what you buy and whether you’re purchasing unnecessary packaging. To find out how you can recycle right and reduce your waste, click here.

 

Know what can and can't go in your recycling bin!

Recycling Right means always putting the right items in the recycling bin, keeping the wrong items out (plastic bags, soft plastic, drinking glasses, polystyrene), and making sure all recycling goes in the bin loosely (no bags!). 

By Recycling Right you’re helping save valuable resources from going to landfill, save energy and protecting our environment. You can read more about the benefits of recycling in our Recycling FAQs.

Recycle Right by taking the following actions:

1. Be an expert! Know what you can and can’t recycle. You can download our useful guides to find out what goes in which bin:

 Hard copies are available at our Customer Service Centres, or can be mailed on request by calling 8470 8888. Large print is available.

2. Watch the Recycle Right videos for top recycling tips. You can also keep up-to-date by liking Council’s Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. 

3. Find out how you can go beyond recycling right to reducing your overall waste. Download Council's Waste Minimisation Guide. 

Still have more questions on recycling? Check our Recycling FAQs, call Customer Service on 8470 8888 or email mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au.

 

Hard plastic
Items such as milk bottles, soft drink bottles, ice cream and yogurt tubs, takeaway containers, laundry and bathroom bottles, buckets, plant pots, and other items made from hard plastic. To check if plastic is hard, try the scrunch test. If you can scrunch plastic in your hand and it bounces back, it's hard. If you scrunch it and it loses shape, like a plastic bag, it's soft plastic and can't be recycled. Remember, containers should be empty but don't need to be squeaky clean.

Handy Tip: Don't be tricked by the triangle and number stamp on plastic products. These codes (1 -7) are part of the Resin Identification Code, and identify the type of resin the plastic product is made from, not whether it can be recycled. People often confuse the 'resin identification code' for the general recycling symbol (mobius loop), which looks like three chasing arrows. 

Paper and cardboard
Such as office paper, envelopes, pizza boxes, egg cartons, newspaper and magazines.

Cardboard milk and juice cartons.
This material is also called liquid paper board.

Glass bottles and jars
Such as sauce and jam jars and soft drink bottles. However, drinking glasses or other household glass (such as a vase), Pyrex, mirrors, ceramics and crockery must go in the general waste bin.

Aluminium and steel
Items such as cans, tins, aerosol cans, foil trays and aluminium foil (rolled as large as a golf ball). These should be empty, but don't need to be squeaky clean.

Clean pots, pans and other metal cooking dishes
Even with plastic handles (no pot or pan lids). However, the glass lids must go in the general waste bin.

Download the A to Z Waste and Recycling Guide and Recycle Right Quick Guide for a full list of items that are accepted in your household recycling bin.

  • No plastic bags or any soft plastic that can be scrunched into a ball in your hand and lose their shape - no plastic wrap, no bread bags, no pasta packets, no muesli bar wrappers or chip bags. Find out where to recycle soft plastics here.
  • No polystyrene (Styrofoam)
  • No disposable cups (coffee cups) - the hard plastic lid can go in the recycling bin
  • No food scraps or green waste
  • No fabric/clothing
  • No foil-lined packaging (i.e. long life juice or milk)
  • No light globes -  these can be recycled at a Darebin Customer Service Centre Recycling Station
  • No batteries- these can be recycled at a Darebin Customer Service Centre Recycling Station 
  • No electrical goods
  • No ceramics, crockery or Pyrex
  • No drinking glasses, wine glasses or window glass
  • No mirror
  • No nappies
  • No tissues, napkins or paper towel
  • No smoke detectors - up to 10 household smoke detectors can be disposed of in your household waste bin. For more than 10 smoke detectors, seek advice from the Department of Health
  • No general waste

If you are unsure whether an item can be recycled or not, call us on 8470 8888 or email mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au for advice.

  • Don't bag your recycling, keep it loose! Bagged recycling may not get sorted at the recycling facility. Make sure to place all your recycling in the bin loosely 
  • Recycling doesn't need to be squeaky clean. Containers and bottles only need to be scraped free of food and liquid, no need to rinse them clean
  • Squeeze, squash and flatten your recycling to fit more in your bin
  • Don't put the wrong items in the recycling bin. Only put items that can be recycled in your recycling bin - it may not be collected if there are incorrect items inside

Get it Right on Bin Night
Get It Right On Bin Night is a state-wide project that helps you make some simple changes at home to ensure you’re recycling right. 

  • Check for recycling in every room of your house, including the bathroom, loungeroom, laundry and study
  • Make sure recyclable items are empty
  • Don’t put recycling in plastic bags

 

Recycling Soft Plastic
You can recycle soft plastics (any plastic items that can be scrunched into a ball in your hand) by dropping them off at a REDcycle collection point at participating supermarkets . The soft plastics collected by REDcycle are recycled into new products for schools and communities. Visit the REDcycle website for a full list of what can be collected and to search for your nearest drop-off point.

Many other supermarkets also have recycling bins for single-use plastic shopping bags. Visit the Recycling Near You website to find your nearest drop-off point.

Darebin's Community Recycling Stations
Our community recycling stations are located at each Customer Service Centre and Bundoora Park Visitor's Centre. They accept household quantities of:

  • Household batteries (please tape all 9V and 6V batteries at the terminals, small cell batteries should be wrapped in tape before being placed inside the station)
  • Light globes and compact fluorescent tubes (CFLs)
  • X-rays
  • Cameras and accessories (remember to wipe your data)
  • Mobile phones and accessories (remember to wipe your data)
  • DVDs, CDs and video tapes

We are no longer accepting corks and ring pulls in the community recycling stations. Ring pulls can be left on aluminium cans and placed in your recycling bin. There is currently no recycling option for cork in Australia. However they can be reused for craft purposes, as garden mulch or can be placed in a compost bin (not your green waste bin).

 If you have large quantities of the above items, please visit the Darebin Resource Recovery Centre. Fees may apply.

If you have commercial quantities of the above items, please visit Planet Ark's Business Recycling website for options.

Darebin Resource Recovery Centre
The Darebin Resource Recovery Centre accepts many household items for free recycling.

Recycling Near You
Detailed options for recycling can be found at Recycling Near You or by calling the Recycling Hotline on 1300 733 712 (Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm EST).

Even more recycling options
These organisations may be able to help you recycle your unwanted goods:

  • Ziilch: Simple online recycling of unwanted goods
  • The Sharehood: Helps you share resources within your neighbourhood
  • Freecycle: A non-profit portal for exchanging unwanted goods for free
  • Ozrecycle: Another way to give and get things for free instead of sending them to landfill

Further Information
Customer Service
Phone: 8470 8888
Email: mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au

Household recycling bins are collected fortnightly, alternating with green waste bin collections (green lids).

Find out if you live in the East or West collection zone by checking the map below, or downloading the Which Recycling Zone Do I Live In? map. You can also find your collection zone and next collection date by searching your address in the Recycling Map website.

Darebin - East/West map

Recycling Calendar
Download the 2020 Recycling Calendar for all the information you need to keep track of your recycling and green waste collection dates:

Printed calendars are also available from our Customer Service Centres, or you can call 8470 8888 to have one posted to you.

Christmas and Public Holiday Collections
Bins are not collected on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Good Friday, or Anzac Day public holidays. Bins will be collected the following day.

On bin night, make sure you:

  • Put your bin out before 5am on your collection day
  • Put your bin on the nature strip at least half a metre from other bins, cars or obstructions (where possible)
  • Ensure that your bin lid is closed, with no rubbish beside or on top of it
  • Face your bin opening towards the road
  • Remove your bin from the nature strip within 24 hours of collection

Up to two yellow-lidded recycling bins are available to Darebin businesses for a one off fee

What is Included in the Business Recycling Service?
Businesses operating from a business rated property can obtain up to two 240 litre yellow lidded recycling bins, collected fortnightly as part of our Business Recycling Service. Download the Business Recycling Service brochure. 

There is a one off fee of $98.40 (GST exempt) per bin. Maximum of two bins allowed per business.

Businesses operating from a residential rated property are not eligible for the Business Recycling Service.

How Do I Order a Business Recycle Bin?

  1. Complete the Business Recycling Application Online Form or complete the form in-person at our Customer Service Centres (along with your payment).
  2. Make the payment via a credit card.

* Fees and charges may change. Participating businesses will be kept informed of any changes.

If you are a not-for-profit organisation, you may be eligible for a fee reduction or waiver at Council’s discretion.

To apply:

  1. Complete the not-for-profit organisation Fee Waiver Application Form
  2. Return the form to any Customer Service Centre or by email to: mailbox@darebin.vic.gov.au.

For information about what you can put in your business recycling bin and your collection days, please refer to the Recycle Right section above.

See below some tips to help reduce your fashion footprint.

According to the Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia, Australians send around $500 million worth of fashion clothing to the tip each year, yet over 95% of it can be recycled and reused.

The fashion industry contributes to around 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions due to its long supply chains and energy intensive production. The industry consumes more energy than the international flights and shipping industry combined. Read more here.

 

Given that textiles are the most carbon intensive material on a per tonne basis, small changes can have large carbon impacts. See below how to reduce, reuse and recycle your unwanted clothing.

Ask yourself some questions:

  • Do you really need it? Do you already own something similar?
  • Can you rent/borrow/swap or buy second-hand? If it's for a one-off event, why not rent or borrow your outfit from a friend, to save you money and wardrobe space. There are also online platforms such as The Volte that connects borrowers and lenders of special occasion clothes. This is a great way to look fantastic, while spending much less and ensuring others can also enjoy the clothes too.
  • How much will you wear it? If the cost of an item seems too good to be true (think a new dress for $10), it’s often low quality and/or fast fashion. These clothes may only last for a few wears, before they lose their shape and head straight to landfill. Think of how much you would like to be paid to make a similar item of new clothing, and that is a good test for whether it is good quality or fast fashion.

If you've asked yourself all the above questions and decided to buy a new piece, check that your clothes are made with these considerations:

  • Ethical considerations – Are the people who made your clothes paid and treated fairly? It all starts by asking the question, who made my clothes?

  • Environmental considerations – Manufacturing clothing is a resource intensive process which impacts our waterways, air and soil. Where was your item of clothing made? Is it made of natural fibres like cotton, bamboo, tencel, wool or denim, or is it made of fibres made from fossil fuels (i.e. plastics) like polyester and nylon? Blended fibres such as polyester/cotton blends are also not ideal, as they can be very difficult to recycle. The more natural fibres you can choose, the better for the environment your choices will be. Shopping from clothes stores in your local area is another way to support local jobs and economies.

Reusing is essential to minimising your fashion footprint. There are a number of ways your clothes can be reused: 

  • Buy second-hand – There are many places within Darebin that you can buy second-hand clothing. Download the Op Shop Map to plan your next Op Shop Hop around Darebin. Additionally, check out this video.
  • Swap – Clothing swap is a fun and more sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe. Click here to find out how to host a swap party.
  • Mend – Mend your own clothes to make them last longer. If you are not sure how, you can attend a class, or visit one of the Repair Cafe sessions. There are also lots of great mending tips and tricks online. For more complex mending needs, visit your local clothing repair/mending stores.

Before sending them to landfill, consider the following:

  • Sell – You can sell your clothes through:
    - Various online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and eBay
    - Consignment stores such as Mutual Muse
  • Donate – You can donate in store to local op shops in Darebin. The funds raised from selling your second-hand items help improve social outcomes and support people who experience disadvantage. Ensure your items are in good condition. Please note that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some op shops may be closed. Remember - leaving items outside op shops when they are closed, or leaving items next to donation bins, is considered illegal dumping and fines may apply. To ensure that your donation helps the community in need, hold on to your generous donations until our op shops reopen.
    Alternatively, give away your clothes to friends and family, or by using online platforms such as Good Karma Networks. Follow this link to find a network near you.
  • Upcycle – Get creative and revamp your wardrobe or find alternative uses for pre-loved clothes.

Clothes that have reached their end of life can be composted in your home compost if they are natural fibres. Otherwise, they should be placed in the general waste bin.