Be a Good Sort (Rules for Waste Collection)

Being a good sort means getting the right material in your recycling and organics bins while making sure things that can't be processed at the landfill are not put into the red bin. This saves money and protects the environment. Most people already know how to be a good sort when it comes to waste.

Contamination of waste collections has financial consequences for all ratepayers. The Council issues fines when people misuse their waste service.

Don’t misuse your waste collection bins

If everybody uses their bins correctly, we can save tax and ratepayer dollars as well as helping to protect the environment. We take waste collection seriously and aim to have all residents and ratepayers making the best use of the service. If you don’t understand how to use the service just reach out and we'll be more than happy to assist. If you use the service incorrectly, you may be subject to the following consequences:

  • First offence – we’ll put a sticker on your bin advising you that you have placed incorrect materials in your bin.
  • Second offence – we’ll send a letter to the property owner advising of the contamination.
  • Third offence – your bin service will be suspended and the bin will be removed from your property for one collection cycle. Waste management charges still apply.
  • Fourth offence – your bin will be permanently removed and the user will need to contact the Council to commit to correctly using the bin service. Waste management charges will continue to apply while the service is suspended.

     

    How to be a good sort

    What can go in my green-lid organic waste bin?

    All of these things are suitable for your green bin:

    • Fruit and vegetable scraps and peelings
    • Garden prunings
    • Egg and seafood shells
    • Meat scraps, bones and seafood
    • Tea leaves and coffee grounds
    • Cheese and yoghurt
    • Spoiled leftovers or any food past use by date
    • Paper towels and tissues
    • Hair, animal droppings

      What can’t go in your green bin:

    • Plastic bags and cling wrap
    • Dish clothes and sponges
    • Cigarette butts
    • Liquids
    • Vacuum dust
    • Nappies
    • Food packaging, food trays or containers
    • Kitty litter
    • Building rubbish, rocks and soil
    • Treated or laminated timber
    • Old clothing
    • General household waste

You need to put these items in your red-lid rubbish bin.

Cameras on our waste trucks can identify those who are not using the service correctly. If you include non-organic waste in your green bin a sticker will be placed on your bin advising you what will happen if contamination continues. Further action may include having your organics service suspended, having your organics bin permanently removed, or a fine being issued to you. If your service is suspended or your bin is removed, you will still be required to pay for the service.

Only use the special compostable bags in your organic waste service. These are available for free from the Customer Service Centre.

 

What can I put in my red-lid general waste bin?

Wondering which bin to put it in and it's not listed as safe for the yellow or green bin? You can put in general household rubbish including plastic bags and cling wrap, rope, polystyrene, disposable nappies and broken items like plates, toys and oven dishes in the red bin. 

You cannot put in ashes, building or commercial waste or liquids. Items that are too large or heavy for your waste bin can be taken to the Benalla Landfill and Resource Recovery Centre. To save time and money, we recommended that you sort such items before arriving at the gate.

What can't I put in my garbage bin? 

  • Hot liquid or ashes
  • Oil
  • Chemicals, paints and solvents
  • Corrosive and flammable items
  • Syringes
  • Car parts
  • Soil, timber bricks and other building materials
  • Unwrapped vacuum dust
  • E-waste

What can I put in my yellow-lid recycling bin?

You can put paper and cardboard, glass bottles and jars, steel and aluminium cans, empty aerosol cans, and plastic bottles and containers marked with the recycling symbol into your recycling bin.

You cannot put things like scrap metal, wire, clothing, and polystyrene into your recycling bin. Call the Customer Service Centre to find out how to dispose of these items. 

We can all be champions and recycle the right things in the right ways.

What can be recycled? 

 Glass jars & bottles
 Plastic bottles & containers
 Aluminium & steel cans, aerosols, foil
 Milk & juice cartons
 Papers, newspapers, magazines & cardboard boxes
 Pots & pans

What can't be recycled?

 Loose plastic bags or loose flexible plastic packaging
 Crockery, Pyrex or broken glass
 Motor oil containers
 Hazardous or chemical waste
 Polystyrene
 Waxed cardboard
 Paper with food remains
 Nappies
 Syringes