Got a question about waste or recycling? We’d like to help you find the answers.
Below is some information about how to use your new waste and recycling service, the new purple-lidded glass recycling bin and what you can do if you have an issue.
If you would like to know more about why we have made these changes to our recycling service, you can also read our waste and recycling FAQs.
If you can't find what you're looking for here, you’re also welcome to contact us by:
- Calling 03 9205 5555
- Submitting an online request form
On this page
General questions
- How often will we collect your recycling?
- How can I find out when to put out each of my bins for collection?
- Can I change the size of my bin?
- Do I need a new bin if I live in the Abbotsford trial area?
- What information is available to help Yarra residents with changes to recycling?
- What information is available to support people who live in apartments or multi-unit developments?
- Where, when and how should I place my bins out for collection?
- How do I report a missed bin collection?
Glass recycling
- What goes in my purple-lidded bin?
- Can I opt out of using my new glass bin, or not participate?
- Can I request a smaller purple lidded glass bin if I do not have enough space?
- What size is the purple-lidded glass bin?
- Can I share my purple glass bin with a neighbour?
- Where does Yarra's glass go to be recycled?
- Which bin do I use for glass if I live in an apartment?
Other recycling
- What goes in my yellow-lidded recycling bin?
- What happens if I put the wrong items in my purple glass or yellow recycling bin?
- What do I do if my bin has been marked as contaminated?
- How do I create more space in my bins?
- What do the plastic identification numbers mean?
Food and green waste
General questions
How often will we collect your recycling?
We are still doing weekly recycling collections, alternating between glass and other recyclables. If you need a larger bin for your other recyclables you can request a bin upgrade.
How can I find out when to put out each of my bins for collection?
You can find a copy of your bin collection calendar on our bin collection day page.
If you would like a reminder to put out your bin the night before your collection day, you can subscribe to weekly SMS messages that will remind you when to put your bins out for collection (and other service updates from time-to-time).
Can I change the size of my bin?
Yes, you can contact us to upgrade your bin to a larger size:
- Recycling bin – from a 120 litre bin to a 240 litre bin
- Glass bin – from an 80 litre bin to a 120 or 240 litre bin
- Rubbish bin – from an 80 litre bin to a 120 a 240 litre bin (eligibility criteria applies)
You can also request a smaller glass bin.
Visit the request a larger or smaller bin page on our website for more information.
Do I need a new bin if I live in the Abbotsford trial area?
If you live in the Abbotsford trial area, you've already been using a separate glass bin and a bin for food and green waste.
If you’d like to swap your current 47lt glass bin or your glass crate over to an 80-litre bin, you can complete our online request form.
Our recycling processor can now accept more plastic in your yellow-lidded recycling than before.
Plastic items labelled 5 can now be recycled into new food-grade containers and electric cabling. This includes plastic containers like meat trays and butter, yoghurt, dips and ice cream tubs.
Our recycling processor can currently accept plastics labelled 1 (such as soft drink bottles), plastics labelled 2 (such as milk bottles, detergent bottles, shampoo bottles) and plastics labelled 5 (such as meat trays and butter, yoghurt, dips and ice cream tubs).
What information is available to help Yarra residents with change to recycling?
All residents, businesses and buildings serviced by Yarra Council should have received an information kit, including a new bin collection calendar with their new purple-lidded glass bin.
You can also stay informed by:
- Signing up to our Yarra Life e-newsletter
- Connecting with us on social media
What information is available to support people living in apartments or multi-unit developments?
We've developed educational materials to help apartment residents work out the correct items to put in recycling and rubbish bins.
This includes education signage that can be downloaded and printed. You can also order larger signs and bin stickers .
Find these resources and more information.
Yarra staff are available to meet with residents and property managers to discuss their individual needs and find a solution that is appropriate. You can contact us to organise this by emailing info@yarracity.vic.gov.au or call 9205 5555.
Where, when and how should I place my bin out for collection?
Placing your bins in the correct position on the street makes it easy for them to be emptied. If they're not placed correctly it might not be possible for them to be collected.
Find out how to correctly place your bins to make sure they're collected.
How do I report a missed bin collection?
If your bin was not collected by 4pm, please let us know by reporting a missed collection.
Alternatively, you can call us on 9205 5555 or email info@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Glass recycling
What goes in my purple-lidded bin?
You can recycle glass bottles and glass jars only by putting them in your purple-lidded glass bin, but please remove all lids. Visit the how to recycle glass using your purple-lidded bin page on our website for more information.Can I opt out of using the new glass bin, or not participate?
Separating glass from other recycling by using your purple-lidded glass bin is now mandatory for all Yarra residents who use Yarra Council’s waste and recycling service.
This is part of the Victorian Governments state-wide policy to move all households to a 4-bin waste and recycling system by 2030.
If you find that you have no need for the glass bin (i.e. have no glass waste), you can request a bin retrieval. Residents who have excess glass, or have opted not to have a glass bin, can drop off any glass recycling at the Clifton Hill depot.
Can I request a smaller purple-lidded glass bin?
We understand there may be space or access issues for some residents. We ask that you try out your new bin initially to see if it works for you.
If it is unmanageable, please contact us to discuss your individual needs. Those with very limited space or mobility issues may be eligible to apply for a smaller 27-litre mini-bin.
Please contact us by:
- completing an online request form
- calling 9205 5555
- emailing info@yarracity.vic.gov.au
WorkSafe Victoria have approved a small number of 27-litre mini-glass-bins (width 25cm, depth 45cm x height 70cm) for Yarra residents who have special requirements and can meet the eligibility criteria. These cannot be provided to all properties, as they require manual loading, and having staff manually load a high volume of these bins is not permitted by WorkSafe.
If you have special requirements, for example: space restrictions, mobility issues or medical needs, you can request a smaller 27-litre glass bin. Visit the request a larger or smaller bin page or complete the online request form below.
REQUEST A LARGER OR SMALLER BIN
Each application will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. We may need to visit your property. Eligible residents will receive their new bins when they become available.
Can I share my purple glass bin with my neighbours?
Bin sharing might not be for everyone, but some people have told us it has allowed them to recycle appropriately and save space. If you are interested in sharing with your neighbour, you can chat to them about this.
If you are sharing with a neighbour, need to get a bin removed or require a larger bin please complete our online request form or call Yarra on 03 9205 5555.
UPGRADE, DOWNGRADE OR CHANGE MY BIN SERVICE
What size is the purple-lidded glass bin?
The standard purple-lidded glass bin is 80-litres (85cm high x 45cm wide x 52cm deep).
This is the same capacity as your existing rubbish bin.
If you're in an apartment block however, you will receive a shared bin which may be a larger size such as a 120 litre bin (88cm high x 46cm wide x 48cm deep) or a 240 litre bin (100cm high x 58cm wide x 66cm deep).
Where does Yarra's glass go to be recycled?
Your glass is taken to a local processor, where it is crushed and ground into tiny pieces.
We are hoping that in the near future, the high quality glass we collect will be used to make new glass products. This type of glass recycling is complicated and requires special facilities.
Victoria is currently working hard on building its capacity for this type of glass recycling, but in the meantime we’re going to be using it as a virgin sand replacement in asphalt for road resurfacing projects around Yarra.
Which bin should I use for glass if I live in an apartment?
If you live in an apartment or multi-unit development that is serviced by Yarra Council, your building will also have received new shared glass-only bins.
The number of bins you have, and their size, will depend on how many people live in your building.
Other recycling
What goes in my yellow-lidded recycling bin?
What you can put in your yellow-lidded recycling bin has changed. We’re creating more room in your yellow-lidded bin by collecting glass separately.
You can still place materials such as clean paper, cardboard, plastic water bottles and metal items in your yellow-lidded bin.
Products such as aerosol cans, milk and juice cartons (like Tetra Paks and liquid paperboard) as well as lots of plastics (labelled 3,4,6,7) will no longer be accepted in the recycling bin.
For more information visit the how to recycle using your yellow-lidded bin page on our website.
What happens if I put the wrong items in the purple glass or yellow recycling bins?
From Monday 23 November 2020, glass can no longer go into the yellow-lidded recycling bin.
Our recycling processor cannot take items that haven’t been sorted correctly, as it causes problems for the machinery and contaminates our recycling system. This could even result in a whole load of recycling being sent to landfill. Contamination in the yellow lidded recycling bin may result in more recycling ending up in landfill.
If the wrong items, including glass, are found in your yellow-lidded recycling bin, a sticker will be placed on it to let you know it is contaminated (has the wrong items inside).
If the wrong items are found in your kerbside bins, a sticker will be applied to let you know what the wrong items are inside your bin.
You'll need to remove the contamination/wrong items and submit a missed bin request to arrange for it to be collected.
What do I do if my bin is marked as contaminated?
If your bin is contaminated (has the wrong items inside) we will let you know by putting a sticker on your bin noting the item(s) that need to be removed. You’ll need to remove the item before we can empty your bin.
Once the item has been removed, you can request a bin collection online or give us a call on 03 9205 5555.
If you're unsure what can and can’t go in each bin, please check our A to Z Waste and Recycling guide.
How do I create more space in my bin?
- Squash plastic bottles (labelled 1 and 2) and containers (labelled 5) and cans
- Flatten cardboard boxes
- Scrunch foil
What do the plastic identification numbers mean?
It’s important to know that the numbers and symbols found on the bottom of plastic items are not recycling symbols.
They are actually a plastic identification code which tells us what type of plastic the item is made from.
Each type of plastic is processed differently and has its own specific end market:
- Plastic 1 (PET) bottles are remade into new bottles
- Plastic 2 (HDPE) bottles are remade into plastic bollards, pallets, fence or barrier railing and decking boards
- Plastic 2 (HDPE) laundry bottles are remade into new bottles
- Plastic 5 (PP) containers are remade in new food grade containers and casing around electric cabling
Food and green waste
What about the 4-bin system from the Abbotsford trial? Is Yarra getting a separate food and green waste bin too?
Yarra City Council is committed to rolling out a separate bin for food and green waste as part of the Victorian Government’s circular economy policy. However, this has been delayed due to impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).
We are working towards making this happen as soon as possible.
Yarra decided to start with the glass bin rollout because there is significant strain on the recycling industry in this area. For now, residents with garden waste should continue using Yarra’s on-call green waste collection service.
If Yarra residents want to compost at home they can access discounted compost bin and worm farm options.